A-Punk, the latest single from New York four-piece Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut album, has elements of their home town’s new wave scene, like the gabba-esque “eh eh eh” chant at the end of the chorus.
But their influences extend beyond the range of the five boroughs. There’s the delicate melodies of Sweden’s Peter, Bjorn and John, touches of Paul Simon’s African excursions on Graceland and even quivering flutes that sound like an outtake from the Band Aid sessions. Yet far from being derivative, these parts simply add up to the year’s most joyful and triumphant pop song so far.
