Today Vampire Weekend digitally released their second single off January’s Contra, an up tempo song called Cousins. I’ll admit that the song has really grown on me since I first heard it live this summer, but that it’s never been my favorite of the tracks I’ve already heard. It’s a slightly new direction for the band, and I’m curious to hear the remaining tracks. Listen to Cousins streaming above, and check out live video footage of the early contender of my favorite song from Contra, California English.

In other Vampire Weekend news, the band has announced a couple January tour dates, before heading off for a brief UK tour in February. As a New Yorker with a birthday of January 20, I for one am thrilled by these dates:

01-12 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
01-17 New York, NY - United Palace Theater
01-18 New York, NY - Webster Hall
01-19 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom