We wrote last week about the clamour surrounding the availability of the new Vampire Weekend album on Spotify. It was released for purchase on 11 January, but XL Recordings delayed its Spotify release – until today. Yes, Vampire Weekend fans, Contra is now available to stream.

So if you haven’t already bought the CD or downloads, or streamed it via the band’s official website, here is your chance to judge the follow-up to the excellent self-titled debut. And if you liked the debut, this is pretty much more of the same. It’s baroque pop driven along by African-influenced rhythms, reminiscent again of Paul Simon’s Graceland. The clever-clever lyrics and preppy image might put some listeners off, but there’s plenty to enjoy here.

Listen on Spotify
Download/CD at Amazon