Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (XL)
5/5
By: Charlie Bradford
BUY DOWNLOADSince bursting onto the scene with their multi-coloured sweaters tied round their shoulders singing the effortlessly catchy 'A Punk', things just seem to get better for the New York quartet.
Now, I wasn't sure what a Kwassa Kwassa was, so like a good conscientious music hack, I Googled. Apparently (educational bit coming up!) it refers to a dance rhythm from the Congo, where the hips move back and forth while the hands move to follow the hips. It was very popular in Africa in the late 1980s. The words "kwassa kwassa" may have come from the French "quoi ça?" ("what is it?"). So, maybe Vampire Weekend have seen a version of this dance being done in Cape Cod? Who knows. Sod it. It's a great tune.
Opening with a calypso (or should that be Graceland?) inspired guitar riff and bongo drumming, the happy go lucky vibe of the song is instantaneous and continues throughout this Afro Caribbean pop delight. Before the final chorus a ghostly set of oooohs break up the sound and showcase the unique sound Vampire Weekend are capable of producing. Like 'Oxford Comma' before it, I thought this was an odd choice for a single (especially when the likes of 'One (Blake's Got A New Face)' and 'Walcott' remain on their marvellous self titled debut) but by george it works, and with a preppy/80's style video with a slightly bizarre twist to accompany it (link below), it seems this band can do no wrong.
Artists in this article: Vampire Weekend
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