Vampire Weekend’s New Album “Only God Was Above Us” Receives Stellar Reviews
Vampire Weekend’s Latest Album – Only God Was Above Us
For Ezra Koenig, the critical response to Vampire Weekend’s new album has been more than satisfying. Their fifth album, Only God Was Above Us, has been met with heaps of praise.
Positive Reception for Only God Was Above Us
“I don’t want it to be important to me. But I can’t deny it’s a good feeling to know people have connected with the music and they get it,” says frontman Koenig. It’s been five years since the band from New York put out Father Of The Bride, essentially a solo record by Koenig.
Reflecting on Time and Real Life
“It doesn’t feel like five years,” he tells me via a video call from his home in LA. “Not at all. I was just doing an interview with Rick Rubin for his podcast, and we went through our entire career, album by album.”
Vampire Weekend’s Creative Evolution
Only God Was Above Us is the first album Koenig has written since he became a dad. He and his wife, actress Rashida Jones, had Isaiah five years ago. “It’s always been important to me to come back to normal life as I don’t like to feel like a full-time musician,” says Koenig.
The Journey to Acceptance and Hope
Sonically, the new album is “dark and light” and the “most aggressive record Vampire Weekend have made.” But Koenig says, “This album contains some of our most positive messages and my most optimistic worldview as a lyricist.”
Koenig’s Reflections and Inspirations
As a staunch supporter of US left-winger Bernie Sanders during both his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, Koenig believes in accepting the things you cannot change. “So many people on this planet have been through so many things, and we have thousands of years of human history to take inspiration from.”
Collaborative Efforts and Community Spirit
Father Of The Bride, Vampire Weekend’s 2019 album, was essentially a solo record by Koenig. For this new release, drummer Chris Tomson and bassist Chris Baio are back on board, working with producer Ariel Rechtshaid.
Aesthetic and Harmonious Vibes
The Surfer is another album standout that Koenig had originally worked on with former band multi-instrumentalist and producer Rostam. On the harmonious Prep School Gangsters, inspired by a New York magazine cover story, Blood Orange plays drums.
Excitement for the Future
After two years of not touring, Koenig has been enjoying getting back on stage and played a special show in Texas to celebrate the solar eclipse — also the day of his 40th birthday. Vampire Weekend will be touring in the UK in December.
Conclusion: Vampire Weekend Shines with Only God Was Above Us
Koenig and the band are thrilled to share their new music with fans worldwide. Only God Was Above Us is out now, and Vampire Weekend will be performing at Radio 1’s Big Weekend on Sunday, May 26. With their unique blend of dark and light tones, the album offers a refreshing perspective on life, love, and acceptance.