2. Vampire Weekend "Contra"

It's very hard for an album to have staying power. Contra came out last January, and remained one of my favorites for the entire year. (And the videos for "Giving Up the Gun" and "Holiday" are two of my all-time favorites.)

Vampire Weekend "Fight for this Love" and "I'm Going Down" (Covers)

Two amazing covers by VW, the first of Cheryl Cole's "Fight for this Love" and the second of Bruce Springsteen's "Going Down." I saw VW in Boston this past September and they performed the Bruce cover, and I've been looking for the Mp3 ever since. Well now you have it.

Vampire Weekend- "Fight for this Love (Cheryl Cole Cover)"

Vampire Weekend- "I'm Going Down (Bruce Springsteen Cover)"

Vampire Weekend "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance (Miike Snow Remix)"

This song has been making the rounds, and for good reason. The Swedish pop wizards that are Miike Snow take one of VW's songs from their self-titled debut, and make it a bit more danceable. Good stuff. (I put the video up because it is just too good.)

Vampire Weekend- "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance (Miike Snow Remix)"

New Music

Since there wasn't much new music posted this week, I figured I'd use this half-time of the England vs USA game to get everyone up to date. There's a little bit for everyone here, so check it out:

Yesterday some new XV surfaced, as as usual with this dude, it is really sick. With production from Seven, the man behind XV's excellent mixtape Everybody's Nobody, the track has a synthy spacey vibe to it, which suits XV perfectly. And of course, XV unleashes his usual verbal onslaught. This is said to be off his delayed Kid With the Green Backpack album, but we'll see. Highly recommended.

XV- "T.A.L.K."

This song has been sitting on my iTunes for a while now, but I keep coming back to it, and I figured I'd let everyone else in on it. The group is Hoodie Allen, and the song is fire. It samples the British Band Marina and the Diamonds "I Am Not a Robot." Very Chiddy Bang feel to this song/band. And according to P&P, they are coming out with a mixtape which samples exclusively off Marina and the Diamonds' debut The Family Jewels, which sounds like it will be really good.

Hoodie Allen- "You Are Not a Robot"

I don't know if anyone is into Twilight, but the soundtrack just came out, and it is excellent. It's got Florence and the Machine, Muse, The Bravery, and Band of Horses to name a few. My favorite however is Vampire Weekend's "Jonathan Low." Not even being biased (as you know I love VW), the song is just remarkable. In typical Vampire Weekend it is similar to their other work, yet completely new and original at the same time. Familiar without being boring.

Vampire Weekend- "Jonathan Low"

Since I know everyone loves the mash-ups, here is one from the project October's Very Cold, which mashes Drake and Coldplay. Done by Chi-Duly, the tape is pretty good as a whole. But this track is by far the best. It's hard to explain, so all I can say is give it a listen.

Drake vs. Coldplay- "The Fly Scientist feat. Page and Silver Medallion"

Vampire Weekend "Holiday (Video)"

And I thought the "Giving Up the Gun" video was the best I'd ever seen. I forgot who I'm dealing with. This video is just amazing, and "Holiday" wasn't even one of my favorite songs on the album.

The Hood Internet "Giving Up the Sunshowers (M.I.A. vs Vampire Weekend)"

Another brilliant mash-up from the guys at the Hood Internet. M.I.A.'s voice melds perfectly with the beat from "Giving Up the Gun." Check out more of their stuff HERE.

The Hood Internet- "Giving Up the Sunshowers (M.I.A. vs Vampire Weekend)"

Vampire Weekend "Giving Up the Gun (Video)"

As promised, here is the visual for (what I think) is the best track off of VW's latest release Contra. The visuals are crisp, and the video is full of cameos. Like I said before, they can do no wrong.

Vampire Weekend "Giving Up the Gun (Video)"

"Giving Up the Gun" was probably my favorite song off of Contra, and that's saying a lot. This is a screen shot from the video for it, which premieres tomorrow on Spinner. Lil Jon, RZA, Joe Jonas, and Jake Gyllenhaal all playing tennis. See you tomorrow.