Father of the Bride
by Vampire Weekend
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 245 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 194 out of 245
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 245
  3. Negative: 32 out of 245
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  1. Boardingkid07
    May 6, 2019
    10
    Was a little iffy on a few songs with my first listen (especially the second disc), but after multiple listens, the charm of this album has absolutely dug its claws into me for sure. I can't stop listening to it. Its just amazing!
  2. wowee
    May 3, 2019
    10
    Finally the most anticipated album in the decade,
  3. ffabiansoto
    May 3, 2019
    8
    Una de las bandas más destacadas en los últimos años, lo sabemos, y ellos también lo saben. He ahí donde radica un poco el error de este álbum, el saberse importantes e imprescindibles para el desarrollo de la música contemporánea. Muchos aciertos, pocos desatinos, pero no termina de aparecer el elemento sorpresa que sí aparecía en su, de momento, magnum opus, Modern Vampires Of The City.Una de las bandas más destacadas en los últimos años, lo sabemos, y ellos también lo saben. He ahí donde radica un poco el error de este álbum, el saberse importantes e imprescindibles para el desarrollo de la música contemporánea. Muchos aciertos, pocos desatinos, pero no termina de aparecer el elemento sorpresa que sí aparecía en su, de momento, magnum opus, Modern Vampires Of The City. Muchos años para un álbum, que podría haber tenido el mismo gusto y textura si lo hubiesen publicado hace 3 o 4 años atrás. Dentro de la excelente discografía de VW, FOTB ocupa el puesto más bajo, mas con honores.… Expand
  4. CiphirSol
    May 3, 2019
    10
    I'm wondering if this album is actually divisive amongst the listeners or if it's actually getting score-bombed from /mu/ or something like that. Such a shame that Metacritic allows things like this to happen and doesn't actually care about the users. * 0/1 Like this review... Lmao and it begins. Thanks for confirming my suspicions!
  5. SlovenianLime
    May 3, 2019
    10
    I've anticipated this album for a good two years now and it was well worth the wait, this album is very well an important piece in the Vampire weekend canon, and another masterpiece, I am giving this album a 10 even though i'd say it is a 9.5 to offset the ridiculously low rating so far but there are so many incredible songs on this thing, it's all over the place yet it somehow makesI've anticipated this album for a good two years now and it was well worth the wait, this album is very well an important piece in the Vampire weekend canon, and another masterpiece, I am giving this album a 10 even though i'd say it is a 9.5 to offset the ridiculously low rating so far but there are so many incredible songs on this thing, it's all over the place yet it somehow makes sense, and that's really hard to pull off, every listen i have it has grown on me and every single song is important to the flow of the album. This album proves that Vampire weekend are the best band of the decade… Expand
  6. carrsean
    May 3, 2019
    8
    The VW that released the past three albums is long gone now.If you don’t believe me, try to find Chris Tomson and Chris Baio’s names in the credits for the album. Realizing this truth before diving in will improve your enjoyment of the album for what it is - or not. FOTB is a far cry from anything VW have done prior, especially production wise. Although the songwriting retains Ezra’sThe VW that released the past three albums is long gone now.If you don’t believe me, try to find Chris Tomson and Chris Baio’s names in the credits for the album. Realizing this truth before diving in will improve your enjoyment of the album for what it is - or not. FOTB is a far cry from anything VW have done prior, especially production wise. Although the songwriting retains Ezra’s consistent songwriting in a more general fashion, the production here is expansive and inclusive to a wide array of sounds (country, flamenco, funk, and a handful of hip-hop isms from a Kanye-esque perspective). It’s as sprawling as it is engaging, which honestly makes FOTB an extremely pleasing listens. Not all songs are created equal (like the motif-driven interludes that acts as comfort food between the more bold moments on FOTB) you’ll find out quickly, but they each serve to guide the album in a near-seamless flow that has this near hour album sound almost as tight as VW’s shorter full lengths. The duets with Haim are fun and add a new dimension to Ezra’s songwriting, despite trying to be as universal as possible. “Sympathy” is the most aggressive song by VW, and that’s saying a lot. Singles “Harmony Hall”, “Unbearably White” and songs “How Long?” weigh the album with a light hearted emotional core. And that’s exactly what this album is light-hearted. Every song here seems more comforting and joyous rather than heavy with big ideas. Even if the joyous production tries to hide discomforting lyricism about heavy topics: (“Stranger” and “This Life”). It never feels overbearing and seems built for the streaming era, where countless people streaming can come back to select songs from the tracklist. I’m glad they took so long with the rollout (late January-early May) because if I just jumped right into this, I’d probably find it horrible. But that would be rooted in the fact that it’s so different from a discography that holds significance to me and one I find flawless in the grand scheme of the indie rock scene. But as more singles dropped, it helped digest the fact that the VW you and I know is done. I honestly had accepted that for the past few years, forgetting often that Ezra was even working on a new album. Accepting the fate of VW (as a fan) will define how you enjoy this record. If you're new to VW, I’d definitely recommend listening to this. It may pale in comparison to the past three albums, but it is a load of fun throughout and contains some of Ezra’s best songwriting to date.
    HIGHLIGHTS: How Long?, Sympathy, Harmony Hall, Unbearably White, 2021, Flower Moon, Married in a Gold Rush    … Expand
  7. musicwizard636
    May 7, 2019
    8
    I think what users are mixing up here is an end with a downfall. In no way is "Father of the Bride" a bad album. Much like past releases, it's cheerful and poppy. There are some unique, interesting production choices throughout. But it is, in many ways, Vampire Weekend's worst album so far.

    So let's reiterate the classic saying, "when you're at the top, there's only one place to go but    I think what users are mixing up here is an end with a downfall. In no way is "Father of the Bride" a bad album. Much like past releases, it's cheerful and poppy. There are some unique, interesting production choices throughout. But it is, in many ways, Vampire Weekend's worst album so far.

    So let's reiterate the classic saying, "when you're at the top, there's only one place to go but down". This is Vampire Weekend's fall from the indie-pop throne. However, in this case it's more like a stumble. I expect great things to come from this band and still consider this a successful release.    … Expand
  8. Mvfm-f
    May 6, 2019
    9
    A grand return to a great band, it certainly isn't their best album, but is very close to Contra.
  9. Samarqand
    May 5, 2019
    8
    An album, not a set of individual songs. Yes, there are some songs that would stand-alone as good singles, but it is clear that this is meant to be taken as a piece and not in pieces - something less common these days than when the band first formed. Surprisingly, while I admit at first being a bit put-off with early parts feeling like re-treads of Modern Vampires and others seeming a bitAn album, not a set of individual songs. Yes, there are some songs that would stand-alone as good singles, but it is clear that this is meant to be taken as a piece and not in pieces - something less common these days than when the band first formed. Surprisingly, while I admit at first being a bit put-off with early parts feeling like re-treads of Modern Vampires and others seeming a bit light and hokey, those parts actually feel proper when placed in context of the larger album. In a way I feel like the album travels the styles they've experimented with since their first album. An enjoyable listen when you have the time; if you just want to hear a couple songs to jam to or put into a playlist you'll likely turn to Modern Vampires instead.… Expand
  10. kadoka
    May 5, 2019
    8
    As other users have written, this album gets better with every listen. Don't be put off if it doesn't grab you straight away. As an album, there are plenty of moments of brilliance, but very few solid standalone tracks. The exception might be tracks like Unbearably White, with its surprising dreamy middle section. Harmony Hall sounds like typical Vampire Weekend. This album is certainlyAs other users have written, this album gets better with every listen. Don't be put off if it doesn't grab you straight away. As an album, there are plenty of moments of brilliance, but very few solid standalone tracks. The exception might be tracks like Unbearably White, with its surprising dreamy middle section. Harmony Hall sounds like typical Vampire Weekend. This album is certainly not as diverse as some critics are making out. Yes, there are a number of different styles being played with, but the baseline and tempo is the same throughout. If you are looking for an easy-listening mishmash of old-school alternative pop, that doesn't get old too quickly, I think this does the trick. Sadly, it sounds like the band ran out of ideas on the last 5 tracks: cheesy pop reeking of Ed Sheeran influence that really doesn't suit the band's style at all. And as others have said, the duets simply don't work and feel contrived. Wanted to give this a 7.5 but Metacritic doesn't enable half scores.… Expand
  11. Wael
    May 10, 2019
    9
    I've come to expect nothing less from Vampire Weekend, even after the departure of Rostam Batmanglij from the band. "Father of the Bride" is a very diverse, very well thought-out record of some very Vampire Weekend-esque tunes. The guitars are soothing all over, and the use of autotune (sounding like Imogen Heap on the intro of 'Flower Moon' and Bon Iver on the excellent outro ofI've come to expect nothing less from Vampire Weekend, even after the departure of Rostam Batmanglij from the band. "Father of the Bride" is a very diverse, very well thought-out record of some very Vampire Weekend-esque tunes. The guitars are soothing all over, and the use of autotune (sounding like Imogen Heap on the intro of 'Flower Moon' and Bon Iver on the excellent outro of 'Bambina'), and strings (like on the outro of 'Rich Man') make up for a very rich sound, coupled with the vocals of Ezra Koening we've come to love. The new effort actually sounds like the band's other record, 'Contra' (which is absolute brilliance), but it is a whole different thing when it comes to its themes and arrangements.

    The duets with Haim's Danielle Haim are cute little songs, that might sound a little cheesy with lines such as "We go together like sound and sight, black and white, day and night", but are actually sweet and heart-warming the more you listen to them, and Haim and Koenig definitely have a lot of chemistry. My only real problem with "Father of the Bride" is that it is a little overly long, but fans of the band won't be complaining about this.

    This album is an absolute joy to listen to, start to finish.    … Expand
  12. SergioAllIndie
    May 13, 2019
    8
    It's exciting to see VW writing a brand new chapter on their timeline with FOTB, and most importantly, doing it so with utter dignity, curiosity as lively as ever, and pondering on the self amidst current issues. Ezra proves he's still a skilled songwriter and co-producer, and has managed to put himself upfront quite remarkably. I do sense a couple of tracks here don't do much on theIt's exciting to see VW writing a brand new chapter on their timeline with FOTB, and most importantly, doing it so with utter dignity, curiosity as lively as ever, and pondering on the self amidst current issues. Ezra proves he's still a skilled songwriter and co-producer, and has managed to put himself upfront quite remarkably. I do sense a couple of tracks here don't do much on the tracklist's main intentions and conceptions overall, but they're definitely keeping things interesting. It was worth the wait.… Expand
  13. huri
    May 16, 2019
    8
    This is their best album so far. The longer album length is fitting. More variety and better song writing.
  14. petrichor1975
    May 23, 2019
    7
    Vampire Weekend's "Father of the Bride" is their first album in six years since 2013's "Modern Vampires of the City". While the band's first three records mostly have elements of afro-pop, indie, and funk, "Father of the Bride" marches into new and exciting territory for the band.

    Although the first track, "Hold You Now", which features Danielle Haim, is a quaint start to the record,    Vampire Weekend's "Father of the Bride" is their first album in six years since 2013's "Modern Vampires of the City". While the band's first three records mostly have elements of afro-pop, indie, and funk, "Father of the Bride" marches into new and exciting territory for the band.

    Although the first track, "Hold You Now", which features Danielle Haim, is a quaint start to the record, the Ivy League boys show that they are making up for lost time with "Harmony Hall", which may be the best song of 2019. The pianos, guitars, and percussion on this track make this track fun and could be plastered in the background of the end of a Pixar movie, despite its "I don't wanna live like this, but I don't wanna die" lyric.

    "Bambina" and "This Life" are fun, catchy, and jovial California pop songs. "Big Blue" is a short little interlude that sounds like a cross between a Soundcloud indie song and a drug-influenced Beatles anthem. "How Long?" keeps the same bassline the whole song, but it works very well to Ezra and Co.'s advantage. You can drive through Southern California windows open and radio cranked and feel like this album was made especially made for your little journey.

    When first looking at the title of the song succeeding "How Long?", you may be a little skeptical. "Unbearably White" can sound like something that would initiate the beginning of the decline of the album, but this is not the case. The song is a bittersweet pop song mixing in elements of world music and it showcases the amazing strings that accompany the track as well. "Rich Man" contains a lo-fi acoustic guitar loop which some young and angsty Soundcloud rappers would sulk in and tinker with for their EP. Vampire Weekend combine folk and classical music on this track and it adds to the already fun feel of the record.

    "Married In A Gold Rush" features Danielle Haim once again. It is a bit of a step back on the album, but it is still up there in quality. "My Mistake" sounds like an average springtime ode, while "Sympathy" is a flamenco-guitar song with a New Order-like pulse to it, which hurts the album, but in a small amount. Vampire Weekend gets a little help from Steve Lacy on "Sunflower", which sounds like a hybrid of U2's "Mysterious Ways" and The Beatles "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", because of this infectious melody and overall joviality.

    "Flower Moon" is a miss, unfortunately. It doesn't have the infectiousness of the first half of the record running through its veins. "2021", which was Harmony Hall's partner single, is a catchy interlude, which is very similar to "Big Blue" in the context of its musical style. "We Belong Together" is where you figure out that the record has noticeably gone down in quality. The lyrics aren't very thought provoking, but it will still find its place in the wedding videos of couples whom enjoy folk love songs.

    "Stranger" and "Spring Snow" are songs that many people may just shrug to, but the album closer brings the quality back. "Jerusalem, New York, Berlin" is a solemn, and quiet album closer, and features ear-catching piano, Danielle Haim & Ezra Koenig dueting once again, and subdued synth bass in the background.

    "Father of the Bride" was a fine return to the music spotlight for Vampire Weekend. The first side of the record is all fun, while the second side is filled with songs that don't quite have the quality of the earlier songs on the album.    … Expand
  15. Sistermadly
    May 18, 2019
    10
    This album is wow, my album of the year and it's only may. Highlights include the smithsy This life, the stunning Jerusalem New York Berlin and the danielle haim duet Hold you now...wow incredible
  16. trey_willi
    May 8, 2019
    8
    Thoroughly enjoyed this album as a piece. A few are skippers but album as a whole has so much richness to get lost in.
  17. Hyanovisk
    May 19, 2019
    7
    Father of the Bride is less accessible than MVTC. Even so, guys continue to evolve in their sonority without leaving behind all their charm that has been present since the debut.
  18. GBushRoblox
    May 4, 2019
    9
    Nothing that you'll find enjoyable if you wanted something wistful like Modern Vampires of The City or electric like Contra. With all of the changes over the last six years and the tracks released before the entire album, it isn't mind-blowing and sensational as some might have hoped but it sounds strong and unique as is every album Vampire Weekend has released so far. Recommended Tracks:Nothing that you'll find enjoyable if you wanted something wistful like Modern Vampires of The City or electric like Contra. With all of the changes over the last six years and the tracks released before the entire album, it isn't mind-blowing and sensational as some might have hoped but it sounds strong and unique as is every album Vampire Weekend has released so far. Recommended Tracks: This Life, Bambina, and Stranger.… Expand
  19. JuanCarlos_
    May 4, 2019
    10
    Yes; probably something like Step is missing. But real solid work here. Haven't stopped listening since yesterday morning when it came out. It's different; yes. Sounds more "American"; yes. Has a 70's music vibe/ style being released in 2019; yes, but including relevant themes/ lyrics for our chaotic and uncertain world for sure. It does feel a little bit all over the place, but I thinkYes; probably something like Step is missing. But real solid work here. Haven't stopped listening since yesterday morning when it came out. It's different; yes. Sounds more "American"; yes. Has a 70's music vibe/ style being released in 2019; yes, but including relevant themes/ lyrics for our chaotic and uncertain world for sure. It does feel a little bit all over the place, but I think it's these guys intention to mess with what's expected from a "typical" album release (10-11 songs 4 min each). My only complain is amazing songs as 2021 and especially Bambina (probably my favorite), are not even 2 min long. Unbearably White has to be one of their best songs to date.… Expand
  20. shane4204
    May 3, 2019
    10
    I'll admit, I hated this album on first listen. I missed the "old' Vampire Weekend; while this isn't a radical departure, you can definitely tell Rostam is not longer in the band. However, on several repeats, it's definitely Vampire Weekend at their best.
  21. Andymaths147
    May 23, 2019
    10
    This is simply a remarkably tender, thoughtful and wise album, and I cannot for the life of me see where the negativity of some reviews comes from. The song writing, inventiveness and scope of this album is breathtaking. Possibly, if not probably the finest album of the last decade..... of course some peoples ears just don't work properly, so may feel differently!
  22. healthcaregov
    May 15, 2019
    9
    Over the years, Vampire Weekend has evolved into one of my favourite bands, with some of the most memorable songs I've ever heard. Their debut was spectacular, Contra built on that, and in my opinion, Modern Vampires of The City is a masterpiece. So when this album dropped, it didn't disappoint in the slightest. Everything from the soothing and, well, harmonic Harmony Hall to theOver the years, Vampire Weekend has evolved into one of my favourite bands, with some of the most memorable songs I've ever heard. Their debut was spectacular, Contra built on that, and in my opinion, Modern Vampires of The City is a masterpiece. So when this album dropped, it didn't disappoint in the slightest. Everything from the soothing and, well, harmonic Harmony Hall to the pitch-altering Spring Snow, and to the solemn closing track Jerusalem, New York, Berlin. While there are some things I thought could have been done a little better, such as the melodies, I think the positives of this album heavily outweigh the negatives.… Expand
  23. Almostmicrochip
    May 21, 2019
    9
    The album has really grown on me. I find a lot of the melodies to be very satisfying. It’s
    as good as their rest of their releases to me.
  24. Ricko
    Sep 17, 2019
    7
    These lads seem to be real darlings of the critics. This album is good but I've heard much better records this year that have been met with far less praise. What do I know I guess other than what I like. At times this has real moments of joy ("This Life" channelling their inner Van Morrison) and is a very slick summery pop record. It can hardly be classed as indie really, its thatThese lads seem to be real darlings of the critics. This album is good but I've heard much better records this year that have been met with far less praise. What do I know I guess other than what I like. At times this has real moments of joy ("This Life" channelling their inner Van Morrison) and is a very slick summery pop record. It can hardly be classed as indie really, its that polished. Personally, I would have liked a lesser amount of songs but songs that were a bit more developed and had a bit more meat on the bones. Its enjoyable in the way a rom com movie is. You'll smile away while its on but you'll hardly be thinking of it when its not.… Expand
  25. MrScallops
    Jun 19, 2019
    8
    Long time in the making, "Father of the Bride" is a grandiose album filled with different layers, genres and melodies - and, unfortunately, plenty of filler material.
  26. m3lita
    Aug 27, 2019
    7
    I'm a long VW fan & I agree this is by far their worst album, but a pretty good album overall. The most disappointing song are the duets with the exception of Hold You Now, but the other two are cheesy & embarrasing. Hard to believe the same guy who wrote Step & Ya Hey, wrote those. The other songs I did like with the exception of Stranger. Highlights: Harmony hall, Bambina, UnbearablyI'm a long VW fan & I agree this is by far their worst album, but a pretty good album overall. The most disappointing song are the duets with the exception of Hold You Now, but the other two are cheesy & embarrasing. Hard to believe the same guy who wrote Step & Ya Hey, wrote those. The other songs I did like with the exception of Stranger. Highlights: Harmony hall, Bambina, Unbearably white, Sympathy, Jerusalem, New York, Berlin & Spring Snow. I think the ambition of this album is impressive & it's difficult to make an 18 track album feel cohesive & be a hit. Someone else wrote a review in another site that said something like, this feels like a DIY album for fans in the sense that everyone can choose their 12 favorite songs & then the album feels like a 10, and I agree. I'll say this, for fans who loathe certain tracks like me, it feels like the lows are very bad, but when you find the tracks that you love, it feels like instant VW classics. Overall good, hopefully next time Ezra would include the rest of the band in the creation process of the songs, because although I gave it a positive review, this feels more of an Ezra solo album, instead of a VW album… Expand
  27. georgeaaaa
    Sep 26, 2019
    8
    I didn't really like the album at first. I thought 18 tracks was just way too much, but the album grew on me with every listen. The album just has such a happy, feel good feeling to it, which made me like it. Of course there are a few missers here and there, but the overall quality of the album is really good and it just makes me happy :-)

    Highlights: Every track with Danielle Haim,    I didn't really like the album at first. I thought 18 tracks was just way too much, but the album grew on me with every listen. The album just has such a happy, feel good feeling to it, which made me like it. Of course there are a few missers here and there, but the overall quality of the album is really good and it just makes me happy :-)

    Highlights: Every track with Danielle Haim, Stranger, Sympathy, This life, How long and unbearably white    … Expand
  28. RaynerCS
    Jun 16, 2021
    9
    Pra mim esse é álbum mais "acessível" deles, foi o primeiro álbum deles que ouvi e a principio não gostei mas cada vez que ouvi eu pegava algo novo que fez ele cresceu muito em mim.
  29. Thiago25
    May 6, 2022
    9
    Talvez um dos discos mais interessantes dos últimos anos; ao invés do cinismo habitual de grande parte das composições atuais, vai numa direção contrária -- uma celebração à vida, com imagens bíblicas, primaveris, e duetos românticos. Simples, e complexo. E sem perder a típica verborragia idiossincrática do Vampire Weekend.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2019
47
#47 Most Shared Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Under The Radar
    Dec 3, 2019
    50
    Too many tracks are loosely arranged with sparse instrumentation and a sunshiny, but laid back, lounge-y jazz vibe. Most rely on a start/stop, soft/loud aesthetic that wears thin quickly and makes it seem as if these are demos as opposed to fleshed out songs. [Sep-Nov 2019, p.134]
  2. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Jun 20, 2019
    80
    This album has a more mature twang to it, musically and lyrically. And interestingly enough, it's pretty minimalist and their simplest-sounding stuff to date.
    Read full review
  3. Record Collector
    May 30, 2019
    80
    While this isn’t an album of chart hits, a pop sensibility is evident in the way that they treat music-making as primarily a challenge of curation. So, myriad high-pedigree producers and instrumentalists abound, and yet somehow, a cohesive aesthetic emerges.
    Read full review
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