How about this for a release? A countdown clock on Vampire Weekend’s site hit zero and “Horchata” was unleashed upon unsuspecting fans (ok, so maybe they knew it was coming).

The track is the first we’ve heard of the highly anticipated Contra, due out January 12th, 2010. The band has also announced tour dates in Canada, Paris, London and, of course, California.

VW’s Tour Dates:

10-06 Montreal, Quebec – Le National
10-08 Toronto, Ontario – Horseshoe Tavern
10-15 London, England – King’s College
10-22 Paris, France – Nouveau Casino
11-02 Long Beach, CA – The Art Theater
11-05 Pioneertown, CA – Pappy and Harriet’s
11-07 Lafayette, CA – Town Hall Theatre
11-08 Santa Cruz, CA – Catalyst
11-09 Visalia, CA – The Cellar Door
11-10 San Luis Obispo, CA – Downtown Brew
11-12 Bakersfield, CA – Chencho’s
11-14 Lomita, CA – VFW Hall
11-17 Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Unit
11-21 Sydney, Australia – Oxford Art Factory

MP3: