Vampire Weekend continues to make a compelling case ahead of their fourth LP, ‘Father of the Bride’ with brief, but memorable single, “Big Blue.”

Following a six-year hiatus, Vampire Weekend are back! Their highly-anticipated fourth studio album, Father of the Bride arrives May 3, 2019.  Father of the Bride serves as the follow-up to the Grammy-winning  Modern Vampires of the City, a personal favorite alternative music album of the 10s.  After unveiling “Harmony Hall” and “2021”, Ezra Koenig and company rolled out two more singles – “Big Blue” and “Sunflower,” featuring Steve Lacy.

“Big Blue” gives Vampire Weekend another brief, tight advance single.  Ezra Koenig sings with ease from the onset, backed initially by an incredibly mellow, instrumental backdrop.  There are no verses, only choruses, iterated four times total:

“Big blue, for once in my life I felt close to you

I was so overcome with emotion

When I was hurt and in need of affection

When I was tired, and I couldn’t go home

Then you offered protection

So, am I learning my lesson?

Or am I back on my own?”

A little more than 30 seconds in, “Big Blue” gains more oomph with an expanded instrumental palette.  That expanded palette includes rhythm and lead guitars and a choral vocal pad. All in all, the resulting sound is celestial, pleasant, and maintains a degree of simplicity, never growing overcomplicated.  In many ways, “Big Blue” has similar vibes to the comparably short single, “2021.”

Final Thoughts 

Is “Big Blue” quite as accomplished as “2021” is? Eh, not quite, but still, this is another winner in advance of Father of the Bride.  “Big Blue” checks off all the boxes that makes Vampire Weekend the stellar alternative collective that they are.  Great vocals, memorable lyrics, and solid production work.

Vampire Weekend • Father of the Bride • Columbia • Release: 5.3.19

Photo Credit: Columbia