Vampire Weekend - Father of the Bride

During the six years between Modern Vampires of the City and Father of the Bride, things that seemed essential to Vampire Weekend changed drastically. Founding member Rostam Batmanglij left to pursue his solo career, while Ezra Koenig left the East Coast to settle in Los Angeles. These shifts in lineup and location are just a few of the changes Vampire Weekend take in stride on their fourth album. After reaching peak musical and lyrical density on Modern Vampires of the City, they're reborn with a West Coast perspective and pace on Father of the Bride, giving all 18 of its songs more room for their novelistic detail and surprising juxtapositions. It's easier to hear and feel where the band is coming from, in large part because Koenig's songwriting is clearer than ever. Falling in love with Kacey Musgraves' music inspired him to emphasize his characters' emotional histories, and even on a highly structured song like "Unbearably White," the sorrow of an impending breakup has more impact