'Giving Up the Gun' is Vampire Weekend's new single off their January-released 'Contra.' The song is more pop-y than previous releases, featuring what frontman Ezra Koenig describes as "mix[ing] a real drum set with also a leveraged synthetic percussion." Playing with different rhythms, drum sets, and congo sounds, the tune is a mix of pop and biofunk, as Koenig sings about overcoming aggression and selfishness: "And now my body fades behind a brass charade / And I'm obsolete / But if the chance remained to see those better days / I'd cut the cannons down."
The band just released a dream-like music video for the pop tune, featuring cameos by Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Jonas, RZA from Wu Tang Clan and Lil Jon. To hear 'Giving Up the Gun' -- a follow-up to the band's lead single 'Cousins' -- tune into AOL Radio's Brand New Indie station.
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