The Sound: It’s all about light on Contra, coastal sunlight and sonic lightness manifested by the twinkly, symphonic surf pop sound further cultivated since Vampire Weekend’s debut blew up hard two years ago.

Electro/synth elements suggest the long arm of Animal Collective’s influence, yet VW remains wholly their own by maintaining the precision at the core of their prim Ivy League aesthetic. Contra is decisively progressive in its amplified sound scope of complex rhythm and drums. The drums! The pace is fast, sometimes fragmented and has moments Paul Simon would either be proud of or sue them for.

With references to sandals and surf, it’s a lot about California too, as though the band rode it’s wave of hype west and then took its time in the sun crafting Contra’s thoughtful looseness.

Best Listened to While: In California at your first golden summer afternoon Pacific-side beach party, still pasty and fresh from your colder, easterly place of origin. Buzzed on Tecate and full on fish tacos chatting up pretty girls in flowing skirts. Twirling in the sun. Sitting in a rainbow. Swimming in the ocean and admiring the delicate play of light on the water that you just never noticed back home. Spinning in a translucent Gravitron. Driving your vintage Mustang convertible down the Pacific Coast Highway at sunset with one of those aforementioned pretty girls and, as they say, freeing “your mind to California English.” Totally, dude, totally.

MP3s:

Albums by Atmosphere is an on-going series that considers albums in terms of the ideal setting to fully appreciate an album.