Just seconds into the track and you know Horchata is a Vampire Weekend song. Ezra’s distinctive vocals are lay gently over a Kalimba thumb piano smoothly mixed with the melody. Instantly you hear the tropical feel the track emanates. You can just imagine sitting on a deck chair on a sun-swept beach drinking Horchata… in December. It highlights their ability to blur the lines between verse and chorus, with catchy melodies throughout.

The seventh track on the record and lead single is Cousins. Recorded in Mexico City, this gem takes the foundations from the first album and builds upon it a cleverly constructed piece of music that just feels more Contra. Without being able to put your finger on it you can sense that the band have progressed without having to totally reinvent their sound.

It seems, without assuming too much, that Vampire Weekend’s second album may well match the expectations. If these two songs are anything like the other offerings on the album then they’re onto a winner and you can expect Contra to be filling up album of the year lists next December.

Coming tomorrow: Hot Chip – One Life Stand