Modern Vampires of the City

AlbumMay 13 / 201312 songs, 43m99%
Indie Pop
Popular Highly Rated

There are deftly wielded forces of darkness and light at work on Vampire Weekend’s third record. Elegiac, alive with ideas, and coproduced by Ariel Rechtshaid, *Modern Vampires of the City* moves beyond the grabby, backpacking indie of its predecessors. In fact, whether through the hiccuping, distorted storm of “Diane Young” or “Unbelievers”—a sprinting guitar-pop jewel about the notion of afterlife—this is nothing less than the sound of a band making a huge but sure-footed creative leap.

9.3 / 10

Vampire Weekend’s third album is a remarkable progression from a band that was already functioning at a high level. The songs are more spontaneous and dynamic and, along with the more lived-in sonics, Modern Vampires finds the group taking a leap forward into emotional directness.

A

Vampire Weekend never seemed built to last; neither its prep-school visual aesthetic nor its African-tinged pop suggested longevity. But five years after Vampire Weekend debuted, “Oxford Comma,” “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa,” and “A-Punk” sound not just as good as they did then, but better. 2010’s Contra offered more of…

7 / 10

7 / 10

Whilst lacking the punch of their previous outings, Vampire Weekend's new record is the sound of a band in control of their musical vision.

8.7 / 10

It’s been five years, three albums, an SNL appearance, countless festival performances and one lawsuit from an unwitting…

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Check out our album review of Artist's Modern Vampires of the City on Rolling Stone.com.

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At the time of its release, Modern Vampires of the City was touted as a "deeper" offering from Vampire Weekend.

8 / 10

9.0 / 10

It wouldn't be surprising to find that Vampire Weekend had worn out their welcome five years after the release of their self-titled debut.

6.5 / 10

Vampire Weekend is touting their third album, Modern Vampires of the City, as the conclusion of a trilogy.

9 / 10

Clash reviews Modern Vampires Of The City, the third studio album from New York's Vampire Weekend

<p>The indie band step beyond their 'Upper West Side Soweto' aesthetic with a complex and rewarding album about New York, writes <strong>Kitty Empire</strong></p>

Modern Vampires of the City charts the perils and pleasures of adulthood with impressive, singular range.

8 / 10

7.2 / 10

Review Of Vampire Weekend's New Album. Produced by Ariel Rechtshaid, Vampire Weekend's "Modern Vampires Of The City" will be out March 14 on XL Recordings.

<p>It's no small thing for a&nbsp;band to shake off the shtick that made them famous and move on, but Vampire Weekend seem to have done it, says <strong>Alexis Petridis</strong></p>

90 %

Album Reviews: Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires Of The City

85 %

2.5 / 5

Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City review: <script src=

In a way, falling prey to hype-inspired backlash as early in your musical career as Vampire Weekend did has its benefits - assuming, of course, you have the long-term determination and songwriting prowess to back it up. When “Diane Young”, the first single from Modern Vampires of the City, emerged it was a bit of a shock: a high energy power-pop jam, complete with speed-it-up slow-it-down Elvis-inspired “baby baby babies”, it’s one of the best things the band has ever done.

9 / 10