Almost sixteen years into their career, New York City band Vampire Weekend has managed to hit a new artistic peak and release one of the best indie albums of this decade so far. With their latest record Only God Was Above Us, we see a new matured version of the band that is nearly unrecognizable from their 2008 self-titled debut. Following a slightly underwhelming release with Father of the Bride, Vampire Weekend delivers a stellar project that manages to emphasize the band’s best musical qualities while introducing new elements of neo-psychedelia, folktronica, and jazz.
The greatest strength of this album is its ability to sound fresh and innovative while being deeply rooted in nostalgia. Sonically, these songs feel like a natural progression from their opus, Modern Vampires of the City. “Capricorn” has a hazy, yet groovy psychedelic vibe backed by a stellar piano track and punchy drums. “Gen-X Cops” is a grungy take on the traditional Vampire Weekend sound and lyrically ponders on the shortcomings of past generations, asking whether or not the current generations will be able to overcome their own. “Classical” is perhaps the band’s best song ever with its mellow instrumental and incredible melody leading the listener into an abrupt, but brilliant jazz passage.
On “The Surfer”, the band looks to explores some of their hip-hop influences with its relaxed bass, poetic lyricism, and ethereal horns. The brilliant production of this record is not its definitive characteristic, the songwriting is stellar too. The lyrical focus of this album surrounds reflecting on youth and coming to acceptance with aging. This album is a musical statement for the millennial generation. The touching subject matter is tackled in an eloquent and thoughtful manner that leaves you thinking long after the album is finished. The melodies of this project are light and airy, but very memorable. This album is one that you can both cry to, and sing in the car at the top of your lungs.
The brilliance of Only God Was Above Us is seldom seen in modern music. Improved songwriting coupled with strong production has allowed the band to reach new creative heights. The album’s concise ten tracks and 47 minute runtime is extremely refreshing in today’s streaming era which encourages 20 plus track “playlists”. This record sounds truly like something that a modern day equivalent of The Beatles would put together, being ever proficient.
Now having arguably released the greatest indie album in two different decades with their latest and Modern Vampires of the City, their legacy is strong. The level of greatness this band has achieved is rare in music. Perhaps it is time that we put their jerseys up in the rafters as the greatest indie band of all time.
Official Maurice Crawford Score: 9.4/10
