Vampire Weekend return with their most manic blast of preppy punk, a scorching sort-of Mexican Oompah tune called "Cousins" to properly introduce the sophomore album, Contra. The Hammer & Tongs video team return to the fold — they directed the simply effective clip for "A Punk," which in many ways is a precursor to this new one. Set in a NYC alley (I think, and I think it's the same one where I saw AC/DC shoot the "Stiff Upper Lip" video), director Garth Jennings sets most of the action on a track that lets the camera and the band rocket up and down the street toward (and away from) a mysterious blue target. There's a few nods to the most famous alleyway video, that being Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues," but this has a vibe all its own, bristling with a creative energy that has thankfully not been stifled by a Ritalin (be it a literal or metaphorical dose). --> watch "Cousins"
Vampire Weekend "Cousins" (XL)
Garth Jennings @ Hammer & Tongs, director | Nick Goldsmith + Bettina Schneider, producers | Hammer & Tongs, production co | Hello, rep (US) | Nick Goldsmith + Garth Jennings, DPs | Dominic Leung, editor | Tara Charne, stylist | Chuck Renaud, production designer
