Father of the Bride
by Vampire Weekend
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 245 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 194 out of 245
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 245
  3. Negative: 32 out of 245
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  1. fromthegrave
    Nov 15, 2022
    0
    So disappointing. Their old work had a unique sound and was groundbreaking, but now their music sounds like an idiotic mash of pop and noises. There aren't any exciting songs except for maybe How Long? But his voice sounds strange, and the beats are monotonous. There are annoying jazzy noises in this song, which brings down the only good music on the album. Don't get me wrong, Contra andSo disappointing. Their old work had a unique sound and was groundbreaking, but now their music sounds like an idiotic mash of pop and noises. There aren't any exciting songs except for maybe How Long? But his voice sounds strange, and the beats are monotonous. There are annoying jazzy noises in this song, which brings down the only good music on the album. Don't get me wrong, Contra and Vampire Weekend are super good. This is just disappointing.… Expand
  2. Thiago25
    May 6, 2022
    9
    Talvez um dos discos mais interessantes dos últimos anos; ao invés do cinismo habitual de grande parte das composições atuais, vai numa direção contrária -- uma celebração à vida, com imagens bíblicas, primaveris, e duetos românticos. Simples, e complexo. E sem perder a típica verborragia idiossincrática do Vampire Weekend.
  3. RaynerCS
    Jun 16, 2021
    9
    Pra mim esse é álbum mais "acessível" deles, foi o primeiro álbum deles que ouvi e a principio não gostei mas cada vez que ouvi eu pegava algo novo que fez ele cresceu muito em mim.
  4. bdubz
    Oct 16, 2020
    0
    Pathetic attempt. Embarrassed for the band. I struggled through this album a few times and really tried to like it, but it's crap. I consider their previous albums among my favorite music of all time, but Father of the Bride is well below mediocre. I gave it a generous score of 0, I can only guess that the number of positive scores is a reflection of how many people are quick to 'like'Pathetic attempt. Embarrassed for the band. I struggled through this album a few times and really tried to like it, but it's crap. I consider their previous albums among my favorite music of all time, but Father of the Bride is well below mediocre. I gave it a generous score of 0, I can only guess that the number of positive scores is a reflection of how many people are quick to 'like' anything these days and lack critical-thinking skills. Clearly, having kids has ruined the bands creative process.

    There are a couple songs that are bearable: This Life, 2021, and Unbearably White could pass as b-sides from previous Vampire Weekend albums, but overall it's just a bunch of filler and sounds appropriated from other popular music... Grateful Dead, b-side Beatles, do I hear Taylor Swift in there? (*throws up in mouth*) The collaborations with Haim (note: I love Haim) are such a waste of talent and not memorable in the least.

    I don't doubt that This Life will be an indie playlist fav of the week, but time will show 95% of this album is cutting room floor garbage. If I were a journalist, and not just some joe that consumes music and concert tickets (I've seen VW live 8 times in 5 countries), I'd be looking into the details of their contract with Sony Music - clearly they were paid by the song and just made some crap up the night before they went into the studio for the money. And clearly moving to LA was a bad idea. I won't be chasing tickets to see them live after this album, that's for sure. *deletes from followed artists*.    … Expand
  5. georgeaaaa
    Sep 26, 2019
    8
    I didn't really like the album at first. I thought 18 tracks was just way too much, but the album grew on me with every listen. The album just has such a happy, feel good feeling to it, which made me like it. Of course there are a few missers here and there, but the overall quality of the album is really good and it just makes me happy :-)

    Highlights: Every track with Danielle Haim,    I didn't really like the album at first. I thought 18 tracks was just way too much, but the album grew on me with every listen. The album just has such a happy, feel good feeling to it, which made me like it. Of course there are a few missers here and there, but the overall quality of the album is really good and it just makes me happy :-)

    Highlights: Every track with Danielle Haim, Stranger, Sympathy, This life, How long and unbearably white    … Expand
  6. Ricko
    Sep 17, 2019
    7
    These lads seem to be real darlings of the critics. This album is good but I've heard much better records this year that have been met with far less praise. What do I know I guess other than what I like. At times this has real moments of joy ("This Life" channelling their inner Van Morrison) and is a very slick summery pop record. It can hardly be classed as indie really, its thatThese lads seem to be real darlings of the critics. This album is good but I've heard much better records this year that have been met with far less praise. What do I know I guess other than what I like. At times this has real moments of joy ("This Life" channelling their inner Van Morrison) and is a very slick summery pop record. It can hardly be classed as indie really, its that polished. Personally, I would have liked a lesser amount of songs but songs that were a bit more developed and had a bit more meat on the bones. Its enjoyable in the way a rom com movie is. You'll smile away while its on but you'll hardly be thinking of it when its not.… Expand
  7. m3lita
    Aug 27, 2019
    7
    I'm a long VW fan & I agree this is by far their worst album, but a pretty good album overall. The most disappointing song are the duets with the exception of Hold You Now, but the other two are cheesy & embarrasing. Hard to believe the same guy who wrote Step & Ya Hey, wrote those. The other songs I did like with the exception of Stranger. Highlights: Harmony hall, Bambina, UnbearablyI'm a long VW fan & I agree this is by far their worst album, but a pretty good album overall. The most disappointing song are the duets with the exception of Hold You Now, but the other two are cheesy & embarrasing. Hard to believe the same guy who wrote Step & Ya Hey, wrote those. The other songs I did like with the exception of Stranger. Highlights: Harmony hall, Bambina, Unbearably white, Sympathy, Jerusalem, New York, Berlin & Spring Snow. I think the ambition of this album is impressive & it's difficult to make an 18 track album feel cohesive & be a hit. Someone else wrote a review in another site that said something like, this feels like a DIY album for fans in the sense that everyone can choose their 12 favorite songs & then the album feels like a 10, and I agree. I'll say this, for fans who loathe certain tracks like me, it feels like the lows are very bad, but when you find the tracks that you love, it feels like instant VW classics. Overall good, hopefully next time Ezra would include the rest of the band in the creation process of the songs, because although I gave it a positive review, this feels more of an Ezra solo album, instead of a VW album… Expand
  8. juankv
    Jul 8, 2019
    3
    Some of the songs are awfull, are just a bad protuccion, the lyrcs are good and I can say the best song is Unbearably White, but there are some really bad 2021 and How long?, quality guys
  9. Doxxman5
    Jul 7, 2019
    3
    im glad some of the other reviewer's here have come to the same conclusion, quite frankly i have always had of these guys. Vampire wWeekend are not good, and a double of them is basically musical torture to fans of GOOD music. I try to listen to about 250 albums from each year.....people, this is bad. The most talented member of the band Rostam Batmanglij quit the band. i guess he hadim glad some of the other reviewer's here have come to the same conclusion, quite frankly i have always had of these guys. Vampire wWeekend are not good, and a double of them is basically musical torture to fans of GOOD music. I try to listen to about 250 albums from each year.....people, this is bad. The most talented member of the band Rostam Batmanglij quit the band. i guess he had sense. I'm not saying the guys are bad Musicians as obviously they have some guitar chops, but the songwriting here is muffled and convoluted to put it kindly.… Expand
  10. MrScallops
    Jun 19, 2019
    8
    Long time in the making, "Father of the Bride" is a grandiose album filled with different layers, genres and melodies - and, unfortunately, plenty of filler material.
  11. cannnU
    Jun 9, 2019
    0
    I waited 6 years for this!?!!!?!!!!!!???!!!!!???!!! Recyclable lightweight pop fluff. An insult to their fans. I need a shower after listening to this album.
  12. Andymaths147
    May 23, 2019
    10
    This is simply a remarkably tender, thoughtful and wise album, and I cannot for the life of me see where the negativity of some reviews comes from. The song writing, inventiveness and scope of this album is breathtaking. Possibly, if not probably the finest album of the last decade..... of course some peoples ears just don't work properly, so may feel differently!
  13. petrichor1975
    May 23, 2019
    7
    Vampire Weekend's "Father of the Bride" is their first album in six years since 2013's "Modern Vampires of the City". While the band's first three records mostly have elements of afro-pop, indie, and funk, "Father of the Bride" marches into new and exciting territory for the band.

    Although the first track, "Hold You Now", which features Danielle Haim, is a quaint start to the record,    Vampire Weekend's "Father of the Bride" is their first album in six years since 2013's "Modern Vampires of the City". While the band's first three records mostly have elements of afro-pop, indie, and funk, "Father of the Bride" marches into new and exciting territory for the band.

    Although the first track, "Hold You Now", which features Danielle Haim, is a quaint start to the record, the Ivy League boys show that they are making up for lost time with "Harmony Hall", which may be the best song of 2019. The pianos, guitars, and percussion on this track make this track fun and could be plastered in the background of the end of a Pixar movie, despite its "I don't wanna live like this, but I don't wanna die" lyric.

    "Bambina" and "This Life" are fun, catchy, and jovial California pop songs. "Big Blue" is a short little interlude that sounds like a cross between a Soundcloud indie song and a drug-influenced Beatles anthem. "How Long?" keeps the same bassline the whole song, but it works very well to Ezra and Co.'s advantage. You can drive through Southern California windows open and radio cranked and feel like this album was made especially made for your little journey.

    When first looking at the title of the song succeeding "How Long?", you may be a little skeptical. "Unbearably White" can sound like something that would initiate the beginning of the decline of the album, but this is not the case. The song is a bittersweet pop song mixing in elements of world music and it showcases the amazing strings that accompany the track as well. "Rich Man" contains a lo-fi acoustic guitar loop which some young and angsty Soundcloud rappers would sulk in and tinker with for their EP. Vampire Weekend combine folk and classical music on this track and it adds to the already fun feel of the record.

    "Married In A Gold Rush" features Danielle Haim once again. It is a bit of a step back on the album, but it is still up there in quality. "My Mistake" sounds like an average springtime ode, while "Sympathy" is a flamenco-guitar song with a New Order-like pulse to it, which hurts the album, but in a small amount. Vampire Weekend gets a little help from Steve Lacy on "Sunflower", which sounds like a hybrid of U2's "Mysterious Ways" and The Beatles "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", because of this infectious melody and overall joviality.

    "Flower Moon" is a miss, unfortunately. It doesn't have the infectiousness of the first half of the record running through its veins. "2021", which was Harmony Hall's partner single, is a catchy interlude, which is very similar to "Big Blue" in the context of its musical style. "We Belong Together" is where you figure out that the record has noticeably gone down in quality. The lyrics aren't very thought provoking, but it will still find its place in the wedding videos of couples whom enjoy folk love songs.

    "Stranger" and "Spring Snow" are songs that many people may just shrug to, but the album closer brings the quality back. "Jerusalem, New York, Berlin" is a solemn, and quiet album closer, and features ear-catching piano, Danielle Haim & Ezra Koenig dueting once again, and subdued synth bass in the background.

    "Father of the Bride" was a fine return to the music spotlight for Vampire Weekend. The first side of the record is all fun, while the second side is filled with songs that don't quite have the quality of the earlier songs on the album.    … Expand
  14. Almostmicrochip
    May 21, 2019
    9
    The album has really grown on me. I find a lot of the melodies to be very satisfying. It’s
    as good as their rest of their releases to me.
  15. Verygenerik
    May 20, 2019
    2
    Father of the bride is by far the worst Vampire weekend album they have made. I have listened to vampire weekend since they produced their debut album and I believe that the first three deliver a brilliantly simple but intricate experience with engaging vocal melodies catchy guitar and gratifying drums. This album takes everything that was great about the last three albums and tonesFather of the bride is by far the worst Vampire weekend album they have made. I have listened to vampire weekend since they produced their debut album and I believe that the first three deliver a brilliantly simple but intricate experience with engaging vocal melodies catchy guitar and gratifying drums. This album takes everything that was great about the last three albums and tones down the drums puts less effort into vocal melodies and has annoying samey rhyme patterns.… Expand
  16. nanananaa
    May 20, 2019
    2
    Terrible and disappointing AF... Is this album a joke? Are they mad at Sony about something? I'm guessing people will be fooled into liking the couple pop songs that aren't complete garbage, but time will not be kind to this album. Previous Vampire Weekend albums have been on heavy rotation in my collection for years, but I'm gonna need to unlike this band until this album passes over.Terrible and disappointing AF... Is this album a joke? Are they mad at Sony about something? I'm guessing people will be fooled into liking the couple pop songs that aren't complete garbage, but time will not be kind to this album. Previous Vampire Weekend albums have been on heavy rotation in my collection for years, but I'm gonna need to unlike this band until this album passes over. This is brutally bad music and they are either taking the Mickey out of us and trying to see how far they can push people to listen to crap or they are trying to break their contract or already decided to break-up and just going for the cash grab first. The 'experimental' sounding songs are really basic and juvenile, I can see them all sitting around thinking they're pushing their limits, but really its stuff kids make on their laptops all day long. The Haim duos are like some rejected country demo tracks found in a box from 1987. Didn't hate 3 of the songs, but too painful to get through the rest of the album more than a few times and TBH feeling a bit dirty and used for actually doing so. Pass.… Expand
  17. Hyanovisk
    May 19, 2019
    7
    Father of the Bride is less accessible than MVTC. Even so, guys continue to evolve in their sonority without leaving behind all their charm that has been present since the debut.
  18. Sistermadly
    May 18, 2019
    10
    This album is wow, my album of the year and it's only may. Highlights include the smithsy This life, the stunning Jerusalem New York Berlin and the danielle haim duet Hold you now...wow incredible
  19. huri
    May 16, 2019
    8
    This is their best album so far. The longer album length is fitting. More variety and better song writing.
  20. healthcaregov
    May 15, 2019
    9
    Over the years, Vampire Weekend has evolved into one of my favourite bands, with some of the most memorable songs I've ever heard. Their debut was spectacular, Contra built on that, and in my opinion, Modern Vampires of The City is a masterpiece. So when this album dropped, it didn't disappoint in the slightest. Everything from the soothing and, well, harmonic Harmony Hall to theOver the years, Vampire Weekend has evolved into one of my favourite bands, with some of the most memorable songs I've ever heard. Their debut was spectacular, Contra built on that, and in my opinion, Modern Vampires of The City is a masterpiece. So when this album dropped, it didn't disappoint in the slightest. Everything from the soothing and, well, harmonic Harmony Hall to the pitch-altering Spring Snow, and to the solemn closing track Jerusalem, New York, Berlin. While there are some things I thought could have been done a little better, such as the melodies, I think the positives of this album heavily outweigh the negatives.… Expand
  21. SergioAllIndie
    May 13, 2019
    8
    It's exciting to see VW writing a brand new chapter on their timeline with FOTB, and most importantly, doing it so with utter dignity, curiosity as lively as ever, and pondering on the self amidst current issues. Ezra proves he's still a skilled songwriter and co-producer, and has managed to put himself upfront quite remarkably. I do sense a couple of tracks here don't do much on theIt's exciting to see VW writing a brand new chapter on their timeline with FOTB, and most importantly, doing it so with utter dignity, curiosity as lively as ever, and pondering on the self amidst current issues. Ezra proves he's still a skilled songwriter and co-producer, and has managed to put himself upfront quite remarkably. I do sense a couple of tracks here don't do much on the tracklist's main intentions and conceptions overall, but they're definitely keeping things interesting. It was worth the wait.… Expand
  22. fredphoesh
    May 12, 2019
    5
    Very bland and safe. It starts off pretty well, but dips in quality and becomes ho hum boring. I much preferred it when VW were an indie band making creative music. This lacks imagination, sounds like 1982 Michael Franks... twee and sweet.
  23. Wael
    May 10, 2019
    9
    I've come to expect nothing less from Vampire Weekend, even after the departure of Rostam Batmanglij from the band. "Father of the Bride" is a very diverse, very well thought-out record of some very Vampire Weekend-esque tunes. The guitars are soothing all over, and the use of autotune (sounding like Imogen Heap on the intro of 'Flower Moon' and Bon Iver on the excellent outro ofI've come to expect nothing less from Vampire Weekend, even after the departure of Rostam Batmanglij from the band. "Father of the Bride" is a very diverse, very well thought-out record of some very Vampire Weekend-esque tunes. The guitars are soothing all over, and the use of autotune (sounding like Imogen Heap on the intro of 'Flower Moon' and Bon Iver on the excellent outro of 'Bambina'), and strings (like on the outro of 'Rich Man') make up for a very rich sound, coupled with the vocals of Ezra Koening we've come to love. The new effort actually sounds like the band's other record, 'Contra' (which is absolute brilliance), but it is a whole different thing when it comes to its themes and arrangements.

    The duets with Haim's Danielle Haim are cute little songs, that might sound a little cheesy with lines such as "We go together like sound and sight, black and white, day and night", but are actually sweet and heart-warming the more you listen to them, and Haim and Koenig definitely have a lot of chemistry. My only real problem with "Father of the Bride" is that it is a little overly long, but fans of the band won't be complaining about this.

    This album is an absolute joy to listen to, start to finish.    … Expand
  24. trey_willi
    May 8, 2019
    8
    Thoroughly enjoyed this album as a piece. A few are skippers but album as a whole has so much richness to get lost in.
  25. musicwizard636
    May 7, 2019
    8
    I think what users are mixing up here is an end with a downfall. In no way is "Father of the Bride" a bad album. Much like past releases, it's cheerful and poppy. There are some unique, interesting production choices throughout. But it is, in many ways, Vampire Weekend's worst album so far.

    So let's reiterate the classic saying, "when you're at the top, there's only one place to go but    I think what users are mixing up here is an end with a downfall. In no way is "Father of the Bride" a bad album. Much like past releases, it's cheerful and poppy. There are some unique, interesting production choices throughout. But it is, in many ways, Vampire Weekend's worst album so far.

    So let's reiterate the classic saying, "when you're at the top, there's only one place to go but down". This is Vampire Weekend's fall from the indie-pop throne. However, in this case it's more like a stumble. I expect great things to come from this band and still consider this a successful release.    … Expand
  26. Boardingkid07
    May 6, 2019
    10
    Was a little iffy on a few songs with my first listen (especially the second disc), but after multiple listens, the charm of this album has absolutely dug its claws into me for sure. I can't stop listening to it. Its just amazing!
  27. Mvfm-f
    May 6, 2019
    9
    A grand return to a great band, it certainly isn't their best album, but is very close to Contra.
  28. Skydog
    May 6, 2019
    1
    After enjoying “Harmony Hall” as a single I divulged into the album not very familiar with the band. What a letdown! The entire thing is filler, boring pop/acoustic garbage that sounds like the offspring of The Plain White Tees. The ladies vocals accompanying him felt extremely unorganized and lackluster. One point for at least one enjoyable song.
  29. Samarqand
    May 5, 2019
    8
    An album, not a set of individual songs. Yes, there are some songs that would stand-alone as good singles, but it is clear that this is meant to be taken as a piece and not in pieces - something less common these days than when the band first formed. Surprisingly, while I admit at first being a bit put-off with early parts feeling like re-treads of Modern Vampires and others seeming a bitAn album, not a set of individual songs. Yes, there are some songs that would stand-alone as good singles, but it is clear that this is meant to be taken as a piece and not in pieces - something less common these days than when the band first formed. Surprisingly, while I admit at first being a bit put-off with early parts feeling like re-treads of Modern Vampires and others seeming a bit light and hokey, those parts actually feel proper when placed in context of the larger album. In a way I feel like the album travels the styles they've experimented with since their first album. An enjoyable listen when you have the time; if you just want to hear a couple songs to jam to or put into a playlist you'll likely turn to Modern Vampires instead.… Expand
  30. kadoka
    May 5, 2019
    8
    As other users have written, this album gets better with every listen. Don't be put off if it doesn't grab you straight away. As an album, there are plenty of moments of brilliance, but very few solid standalone tracks. The exception might be tracks like Unbearably White, with its surprising dreamy middle section. Harmony Hall sounds like typical Vampire Weekend. This album is certainlyAs other users have written, this album gets better with every listen. Don't be put off if it doesn't grab you straight away. As an album, there are plenty of moments of brilliance, but very few solid standalone tracks. The exception might be tracks like Unbearably White, with its surprising dreamy middle section. Harmony Hall sounds like typical Vampire Weekend. This album is certainly not as diverse as some critics are making out. Yes, there are a number of different styles being played with, but the baseline and tempo is the same throughout. If you are looking for an easy-listening mishmash of old-school alternative pop, that doesn't get old too quickly, I think this does the trick. Sadly, it sounds like the band ran out of ideas on the last 5 tracks: cheesy pop reeking of Ed Sheeran influence that really doesn't suit the band's style at all. And as others have said, the duets simply don't work and feel contrived. Wanted to give this a 7.5 but Metacritic doesn't enable half scores.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2019
47
#47 Most Shared Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Under The Radar
    Dec 3, 2019
    50
    Too many tracks are loosely arranged with sparse instrumentation and a sunshiny, but laid back, lounge-y jazz vibe. Most rely on a start/stop, soft/loud aesthetic that wears thin quickly and makes it seem as if these are demos as opposed to fleshed out songs. [Sep-Nov 2019, p.134]
  2. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Jun 20, 2019
    80
    This album has a more mature twang to it, musically and lyrically. And interestingly enough, it's pretty minimalist and their simplest-sounding stuff to date.
    Read full review
  3. Record Collector
    May 30, 2019
    80
    While this isn’t an album of chart hits, a pop sensibility is evident in the way that they treat music-making as primarily a challenge of curation. So, myriad high-pedigree producers and instrumentalists abound, and yet somehow, a cohesive aesthetic emerges.
    Read full review
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