Vampire Weekend have returned with “Classical,” the latest slice of their forthcoming album Only God Was Above Us.
Built from a rustling acoustic guitar line and a cymbal-heavy drum beat from Chris Tomson, “Classical” is more vibrant and restless than Vampire Weekend’s prior singles. “Untrue, unkind, and unnatural/ How the cruel, with time, becomes classical,” Ezra Koenig sings in the pre-chorus, eventually landing on an anthemic, harmony-laden refrain where he asks “Which classical remains?” The song also features a daring, slightly dissonant bridge with a haywire sax solo courtesy of Henry Solomon.
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The song also arrives with a music video directed by longtime collaborator Nick Harwood and featuring the band, Ray Suen, drum tech Josh Goldsmith, and A-list producer Ariel Rechtshaid. Throughout the green screen-heavy video, Vampire Weekend performs “Classical” amidst clips of classical European architecture — columns, gothic churches, statues, 800 year-old paintings, and even Stonehenge. Watch the “Classical” video below.
“Classical” follows previous Only God Was Above Us singles “Capricorn” and “Gen-X Cops.” The album, which is out on April 5th, is Vampire Weekend’s fifth studio album and was inspired by 20th-century New York City. The band is also embarking on a major 2024 tour in support of Only God Was Above Us; See Vampire Weekend’s tour dates here and get tickets to all their upcoming dates here.
