On Friday, Vampire Weekend announced the next single off upcoming album, Contra. Crowd favorite “Cousins” is set for a November 17th digital release, and a December 12th 7” release, with “California English” as the B-side. Fans who have caught the Brooklyn based group in concert since the summer may be familiar with this track, as it has been a festival set list staple since All Points West at the end of July.

Above is a video of a live performance of “Cousins” from an MTV Canada performance earlier in the month.

When I first heard this track performed live, I turned to my friend and said this song has confirmed my high hopes for the upcoming album, although, I must admit, I’ve preferred other live staple, “Run” and have considered that as my early contender for favorite song off Contra. However, I think this is a great pick for Vampire Weekend, especially coming after “Horchata” because it shows the band is capable of doing something new, and doing it really, ridiculously well. Horchata reminded us all of Vampire Weekend’s literary, well heeled pedigree, with its vivid references, and of the crisp, clean guitar we grew used to in their self titled debut, and as a fan, I was hoping for something different for the second single.

Personally, I’m surprised that the band is already two tracks into a ten track album, and we still have two months until the anticipated release, but I can get down with this single.