Contra
by Vampire Weekend
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Jan 12, 2010
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 598 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 404 out of 598
  2. Mixed: 82 out of 598
  3. Negative: 112 out of 598

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  1. pugowner
    Apr 24, 2018
    10
    All right, I may have actually planned to give this a 9, but the user score is too low. There are some tracks that don't quite hit the mark but more than half of the songs are essentially perfect indie pop. The Caribbean sounding influence really makes this album special (in a very, very good way)
  2. NolanLundgaard
    Feb 9, 2021
    7
    Contra by Vampire Weekend: 6.81

    Horchata: 1 :) White Sky: 1 :) Holiday: 1 :) California English: 0.5 Taxi Cab: 0.75 Run: 1 Cousins: 0.5 Giving Up the Gun: 1 :) Diplomat’s Son: 0.5 I Think Ur A Contra: 1 8.25/10 = .825 -> 6.81 A friend recommended the first Vampire Weekend album to me, and while I was hesitant at first to listen to it (as it seemed to be a different type    Contra by Vampire Weekend: 6.81

    Horchata: 1 :)
    White Sky: 1 :)
    Holiday: 1 :)
    California English: 0.5
    Taxi Cab: 0.75
    Run: 1
    Cousins: 0.5
    Giving Up the Gun: 1 :)
    Diplomat’s Son: 0.5
    I Think Ur A Contra: 1

    8.25/10 = .825 -> 6.81

    A friend recommended the first Vampire Weekend album to me, and while I was hesitant at first to listen to it (as it seemed to be a different type of music), I ended up loving it, and was very eager to listen to more Vampire Weekend material. Contra is the band’s sophomore album, and while it is not as good as the original release, it is still a well done album that I enjoyed. As I was listening to it, I noticed that the band felt more comfortable using some elements of techno music, such as synths. Some of the faster tracks also felt a little rushed. While I greatly appreciate upbeat music, I felt like some of the songs that were like this were almost too upbeat. The music in these tracks were impressive (as playing that fast is not easy) but they were not the most fun to listen to. While as a whole the album was a little rocky, Contra starts off very well, with three winners right away. I wish I could give my entire song-by-song commentary, but the 5,000 character limit tells me I cannot. As a whole, I liked Contra, but it was definitely an uneven outing. For next time, I hope they keep most of their tracks at a reasonably fast tempo but not to overdo it. The lyrics were on par with the previous album, and the better songs on Contra are comparable to the tracks I enjoyed the most on their namesake. I look forward to listening to the next Vampire Weekend album. Despite the few flaws that Contra exhibited, they are still a talented band that produces wonderful music. I would recommend Contra to fans of the original, but I would also tell them to not go in thinking it is a jaw-dropping sequel to the first. Creating a decent sophomore album can be tricky, but Vampire Weekend managed to do that. Highlights: Horchata, White Sky, Holiday, Run, Giving Up the Gun, and I Think Ur a Contra.    … Expand
  3. RaynerCS
    Jun 16, 2021
    9
    Esse já me pegou bem mais que o primeiro. Ele tem vibe mais "dançante" com letras mais realistas pra mim e temas mais universais. Achei a produção no geral mais interessantes tbm, lenta e animada quando precisa ser mas sem perca pela simplicidade e melodia extremamente contagiante se destaca muito
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Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best Album of 2010
12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2010
36
#36 Most Shared Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    100
    Contra establishes that his band has chosen another path, celebrating the world's contradictions, contraindications, and contradistinctions with a new pop sound made up of old pop sounds that aren't the same old pop sounds.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    60
    Contra is a solidly entertaining, well-constructed album, and if people take to it, the tendency to mock the band will, I think, fade, simply because it doesn't have obviously unfashionable moments to feel uneasy about.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    If Vampire Weekend was Rushmore, Contra is their Royal Tenenbaums: brainy, confident and generally awesome.
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