Contra ( album ) - wikipedia Contra ( album ) Contra Studio album by Vampire Weekend Released January 11, 2010 ( 2010 - 01 - 11 ) Recorded 2009 Studio Treefort Studios ( Dumbo, Brooklyn ) Topetitud ( Mexico City, Mexico ) Avatar Studios NYC ( Manhattan ) Hicks and Joralemon ( Brooklyn ) Genre Indie pop Length 36 : 40 Label XL Producer Rostam Batmanglij Vampire Weekend chronology Vampire Weekend ( 2008 ) Contra ( 2010 ) Modern Vampires of the City ( 2013 ) Singles from Contra `` Horchata '' Released : 5 October 2009 `` Cousins '' Released : 17 November 2009 `` Giving Up the Gun '' Released : 19 February 2010 `` Holiday '' Released : 7 June 2010 `` White Sky '' Released : 16 August 2010 `` Run '' Released : 13 December 2010 Contra is the second studio album by the American indie rock band Vampire Weekend, released in January 2010 on XL Recordings. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. The album title is intended as a thematic allegory and a complex reference to the Nicaraguan counter-revolutionaries, the 1980 album Sandinista ! by The Clash, and the video game Contra. The album was recognized as one of The 100 Best Albums of the Decade So Far by Pitchfork in August 2014. Contents 1 Release 2 Music and lyrics 3 Artwork and lawsuit 4 Critical reception 5 Commercial performance 6 Track listing 7 Personnel 8 Chart positions 8.1 Weekly charts 8.2 Year - end charts 9 See also 10 References 11 External links Release The release of Contra was announced on September 15, 2009, and was released in the UK on January 11, 2010. It was released in the U.S. on the next day. However, the album was already available on January 8 on iTunes. `` Horchata '' was released as a free download on October 5, 2009 on the band 's website. The first single was `` Cousins '', accompanied by a 7 '' single, and a music video. The album was available for streaming on the band 's MySpace starting on January 3, 2010. It was also available for streaming from their official website, as of January 5, 2010. Music and lyrics Koenig has stated in multiple interviews that the album contains lyrical themes of opposition consistent with its title, and feels it is important to understand that the word `` Contra '' is a fundamental concept of conflict, without any implication that one side is right or wrong. The lyrics of Contra are also meant to express a desire to be compassionate even towards people and things you disagree with. He also states the lyrics of Contra deal with reconciling feeling of privilege and guilt, for which he uses the term `` first world guilt ''. Contra is considered by critics to be instrumental in cementing the cultural significance of Vampire Weekend first formed with their debut record, as Contra deepens and commits to a general attitude of rejecting traditional notions that rock musicians are poor, underprivileged rebels. Whereas their first album brought to light the prejudices against affluence and wealth in rock music, Contra, even in its title, openly argues this stigma. The band made an effort to make their second album a natural expansion on the universe created in their debut album, as a result Contra covers a far greater gamut of musical influences than their debut album, drawing inspiration from genres such as ska on `` Holiday '', synthpop on `` Giving Up the Gun '', speed rap on `` California English '' and even rave music on `` Run ''. The production of the album, directed by Rostam Batmanglij, was also different from their former work in that it did not use chamber echo and natural reverb but instead used digital effects to give the album an eighties aesthetic. Other distinguishing features of Contra are the use of backing vocals as textural elements, the debut of Rostam as a lead guitarist and more layered drumwork in which fundamental Latin beats are blended with drum machines to create a busier rhythm section. The lyrics of `` I Think Ur a Contra '' include the phrase `` Complete Control '', the title of a Clash single ( notably, an influential 1980 triple album by The Clash was entitled Sandinista ! after the socialist militancy opposed by the Contras during the Nicaraguan civil war ). This refers partially to the controversy surrounding their punk roots. The title `` Diplomat 's Son '' is a reference to a story singer Ezra Koenig wrote while in college about boarding school, though the content lyrically talks about a relationship told by Rostam Batmanglij. The song also features a vocal sample from M.I.A. 's `` Hussel ''. `` Holiday '' begins with the opening lyrics of Fairport Convention 's 1969 rendition of Matty Groves. Artwork and lawsuit The cover of `` Contra '' features a candid polaroid of a girl from 1983. The photo was found by Rostam while searching `` New York City 1983 '' on Flickr. Lead singer Koenig states that when he first saw the image, he felt he read `` some sort of hesitation '' in her face, and that the band discussed at length what her possible age or emotional state could be in the photograph, without ever becoming certain of either. Koenig believed that `` wrapped up in her expression is this question : ' How is she feeling ? ' '' and that `` maybe she was n't even really sure at the time. '' In an interview, Koenig revealed that the girl pictured on the front cover is `` now living in Malibu ''. Koenig has confirmed that the picture was taken in 1983 by photographer Tod Brody and was chosen as a juxtaposition to the debut album 's cover which, while taken in 2006, looks as if it `` inhabits the same world ''. Koenig also referred to the girl as `` Kirsten '' in a post on Twitter. Koenig likens the image to the Rorschach test as multiple meanings can be extrapolated from just a few signifiers, saying, `` Some people get very mad when they see a white blonde girl in a Polo shirt. '' On July 15, 2010, Vampire Weekend, along with XL Recordings and Brody, were sued by Ann Kirsten Kennis, the woman who identified herself as the mysterious woman on the cover, for $2 million for using the photo without her permission. Kennis has said that the photo was taken while she was `` a high - fashion model under contract with prestigious agencies in New York City. '' In addition, Kennis said that the release forms for the photo that was allegedly signed by Kennis herself, were forged. In a statement released by Kennis ' lawyer Alan Neigher, Neigher said that Kennis discovered herself on the cover when her daughter brought home a copy of Contra and showed it to Kennis. Neigher also mentioned that Brody did not take the photo and said that it was taken by Kennis ' mother. Despite this claim, Brody claims that he took the photo and says that he had the photo for 26 years until Vampire Weekend discovered it on his Flickr page and bought it for five thousand dollars. Kennis ' own former agent, Sue Charney, told Vanity Fair, `` To me it is very clearly a Polaroid taken at a casting session. '' Koenig later responded on the matter and said that `` this is the first time any of us have ever been sued, so we 're still learning how it works. '' He added, `` There 's nothing we can say about it. We 're not trying to be mysterious. I imagine in the next few months there 'll be plenty to talk about. Given it 's our first time, we just want to do it properly. '' In December 2010, Vampire Weekend filed their own lawsuit against Brody, which argued that he would be liable for any damages Kennis would receive, due to misrepresentation. On August 15, 2011, it was announced that Kennis had dropped her lawsuit against XL Recordings and Vampire Weekend after they paid Kennis an undisclosed sum. However, the separate lawsuits against Brody from Kennis and Vampire Weekend were not dropped. Critical reception Professional ratings Aggregate scores Source Rating Metacritic 81 / 100 Review scores Source Rating AllMusic The A.V. Club A − Entertainment Weekly B+ The Guardian Los Angeles Times MSN Music NME 8 / 10 Pitchfork 8.6 / 10 Rolling Stone Spin 8 / 10 The album received acclaim from music critics. Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, reported an average score of 81 based on 39 reviews, described as `` universal acclaim ''. Dave Simpson of The Guardian stated that Contra `` will probably be among this year 's most played and most joyful tunes. '' Spin 's Jon Dolan wrote that `` the balance of classical, rock, and world instrumentation, cagey rhythms, and stunning prettiness is n't just architecturally resplendent, it 's reassuringly sweet and strangely moving. '' Paul Stokes of NME described Vampire Weekend as `` one of the most unique bands on the planet. '' Consequence of Sound named it the best album of 2010. On December 1, 2010, it was announced that Contra was nominated for a Grammy for `` Best Alternative Music Album ''. This album was number 6 on Rolling Stone 's list of the 30 Best Albums of 2010. Pitchfork placed it at number 6 on its list `` The Top 50 Albums of 2010 ''. Commercial performance It is the band 's first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200, and the 12th independently - distributed album in history to reach the number one spot on the Billboard 200 since Nielsen Soundscan began recording data in 1991, while also being the first independent artist to have done so without ever having signed with a major label, after already established rock bands Radiohead and Pearl Jam and before Arcade Fire 's The Suburbs. The album sold 124,000 copies in its first week and was awarded Gold by the RIAA on November 21, 2011 which means it has sold over 500,000 units in the US alone. In 2010. It was awarded a diamond certification from the Independent Music Companies Association which indicated sales of at least 250,000 copies throughout Europe. Track listing All lyrics written by Ezra Koenig, except where noted ; all music composed by Chris Baio, Rostam Batmanglij, Koenig and Christopher Tomson, except where noted. No. Title Length 1. `` Horchata '' ( lyrics by Batmanglij and Koenig ) 3 : 26 2. `` White Sky '' 2 : 58 3. `` Holiday '' 2 : 18 4. `` California English '' 2 : 30 5. `` Taxi Cab '' ( music by Batmanglij and Koenig ) 3 : 55 6. `` Run '' 3 : 52 7. `` Cousins '' 2 : 25 8. `` Giving Up the Gun '' 4 : 46 9. `` Diplomat 's Son '' ( lyrics by Batmanglij and Koenig ) 6 : 01 10. `` I Think Ur a Contra '' ( music by Batmanglij and Koenig ) 4 : 29 Total length : 36 : 40 iTunes bonus tracks No. Title Length 11. `` Giant '' 2 : 50 12. `` California English : Part 2 '' ( Pre-order only ; also a B - side to `` Cousins '' ) 2 : 57 Total length : 42 : 27 Japanese edition bonus tracks No. Title Length 11. `` Ottoman '' ( B - side to `` Holiday '' ) 4 : 02 12. `` Giant '' 2 : 50 Total length : 43 : 32 ' Contra Megamelt ' bonus disc No. Title Length 1. `` Contramelt A '' 6 : 11 2. `` Contramelt B '' 4 : 36 3. `` Cousins '' ( Toy Selectah Mex - More Remix ) 3 : 20 Total length : 14 : 07 Personnel Vampire Weekend Ezra Koenig -- lead vocals ; guitar ( tracks 3 - 7 ) ; keyboard ( track 1 ) ; piano ( track 10 ) ; programming ( track 8 ) Rostam Batmanglij -- piano ; background vocals ; vocal harmonies ; keyboards ; harpsichord ; VSS - 30 ; drum ; synth ; sampler programming ; lead vocals ( bridge of track 9 ) ; guitar ( tracks 2 - 5, 7 - 10 ) ; shakers, hand drum, snares ( track 9 ) Christopher Tomson -- drums Chris Baio -- bass ; background vocals ( tracks 2, 4 ) ; additional synth ( track 4 ) Additional musicians Mauro Refosco -- marimbas, rebolo, zabumba, shekere, shakers, auxiliary percussion ( track 1 ) Marcus Farrar -- shekere, auxiliary percussion ( track 1 ) Libby Gery -- vocals ( track 8 ) Anne Donlon -- vocals ( tracks 1, 8 ) Nat Baldwin -- double bass ( tracks 1, 5, and 8 ) Jonathan Chu -- violin, viola ( tracks 1, 4, 5, 9 ) Hamilton Berry -- cello ( tracks 1, 4, 5, 8 - 10 ) Seth Rosenfeld -- cello ( track 8 ) Jesse Novak -- additional instrumentation ( track 8 ) Jeff Curtin -- hand drums ( tracks 8, 10 ) ; shakers ( track 10 ) Shane Stoneback -- shaker ( track 10 ) Production Rostam Batmanglij -- production ; string arrangements ; mixing ; engineering Justin Gerrish -- mixing ( tracks 1, 3 - 10 ) ; engineering ( tracks 1 - 6, 8 - 10 ) Shane Stoneback -- mixing assistance ( track 2 ) ; engineering ( tracks 1 - 6, 8 - 10 ) Fernando Lodeiro -- engineering assistance ( tracks 1 - 6, 8 - 10 ) Tito Fuentes -- engineering ( track 7 ) Melchor M -- engineering assistance ( track 7 ) Emily Lazar -- mastering Joe LaPorta -- assistant mastering engineering Release Tod Brody -- cover photograph Chris Tomson -- band photograph Rostam Batmanglij -- design Asher Sarlin -- design Ian Montone -- management Kris Chen -- A&R Imran Ahmed -- A&R Nicky Stein -- legal representation Chart positions Weekly charts Charts ( 2010 ) Peak position Australian Albums ( ARIA ) Austrian Albums ( Ö3 Austria ) 19 Belgian Albums ( Ultratop Flanders ) 8 Belgian Alternative Albums ( Ultratop Flanders ) Belgian Albums ( Ultratop Wallonia ) 28 Canadian Albums ( Billboard ) Danish Albums ( Hitlisten ) 30 Dutch Albums ( MegaCharts ) 31 Dutch Alternative Albums ( Mega Alternative Top 30 ) Finnish Albums ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 14 French Albums ( SNEP ) 15 German Albums ( Offizielle Top 100 ) 15 Greek Albums ( IFPI ) 9 Irish Albums ( IRMA ) Irish Independent Albums ( IRMA ) 8 Italian Albums ( FIMI ) 98 Japanese Albums ( Oricon ) 29 New Zealand Albums ( RMNZ ) 12 Norwegian Albums ( VG - lista ) 7 Polish Albums ( OLiS ) 90 Scottish Albums ( OCC ) Spanish Albums ( PROMUSICAE ) 51 Swedish Albums ( Sverigetopplistan ) 14 Swiss Albums ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 26 UK Albums ( OCC ) UK Independent Albums ( OCC ) US Billboard 200 US Independent Albums ( Billboard ) US Top Alternative Albums ( Billboard ) US Top Rock Albums ( Billboard ) Year - end charts Chart ( 2010 ) Position Australian Albums ( ARIA ) 69 Belgian Albums ( Ultratop Flanders ) 74 Belgian Alternative Albums ( Ultratop Flanders ) 33 UK Albums ( OCC ) 64 US Billboard 200 72 US Independent Albums ( Billboard ) US Top Alternative Albums ( Billboard ) 14 US Top Rock Albums ( Billboard ) 19 See also Alternative music portal List of number - one independent albums ( U.S ) References Jump up ^ Michaels, Sean ( 2009 - 11 - 11 ). `` Vampire Weekend name new album after videogame ''. London : guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/9465-the-top-100-albums-of-2010-2014/3/. Missing or empty title = ( help ) Jump up ^ Dombal, Ryan ( 2009 - 09 - 15 ). `` Vampire Weekend Announce Everything About Second Album ''. Pitchfork. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ Breihan, Tom ( 2009 - 10 - 23 ). `` Vampire Weekend Prep New Single ''. Pitchfork. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend On MySpace ''. myspace.com. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. ^ Jump up to : Ryan Dombal ( 1 October 2009 ). `` Vampire Weekend 's Ezra Koenig Talks New Album, Confronts the Haters ''. Pitchfork. Retrieved 17 December 2011. Jump up ^ Perry, Andrew ( 2010 - 03 - 31 ). `` Vampire Weekend interview ''. The Daily Telegraph. London. Jump up ^ Will Bedwell ( 9 February 2010 ). `` Music Review : Vampire Weekend 's `` Contra '' ``. The Warrior Beat. Retrieved 17 December 2011. Jump up ^ Eels, J. ( 2010 ). `` The Semi-Charmed Life of Vampire Weekend '', Rolling Stone. ^ Jump up to : Montgomery, James ( 2010 - 01 - 12 ). `` Vampire Weekend Reveal Secrets Of Contra 's Cover Girl ''. MTV. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ Koenig, Ezra ( 2010 - 01 - 15 ). `` Big ol kirsten in London ''. Twitter. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend being sued by ' Contra ' cover star for $2 million ''. NME. 2010 - 07 - 16. Retrieved 2010 - 07 - 16. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend Sued by Cover Model ''. New York Magazine. 2010 - 17 - 15. Retrieved 2010 - 07 - 16. Check date values in : date = ( help ) Jump up ^ Simon Vozick - Levinson ( 15 July 2010 ). `` Vampire Weekend sued by ' Contra ' cover model ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 17 December 2011. Jump up ^ Stephen Carlick ( 16 July 2010 ). `` Vampire Weekend 's Contra - versy Continues : Model 's Lawyer Speaks Up ; Photographer Responds ''. Exclaim !. Retrieved 17 December 2011. Jump up ^ David Walker ( 25 May 2011 ). `` In Vampire Weekend Case, Photographer 's Lawyers Petition to Quit ''. Photo District News. Retrieved 17 December 2011. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend : ' Being sued over ' Contra ' artwork is frustrating ' ''. NME. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2011. Jump up ^ Bychawski, Adam. `` Vampire Weekend issue lawsuit to ' Contra ' photographer NME.COM ''. NME.COM. Retrieved 2 October 2016. ^ Jump up to : Breihan, Tom ( 2011 - 07 - 15 ). `` Vampire Weekend settle with cover model ''. Pitchfork. Retrieved 2011 - 09 - 05. ^ Jump up to : `` Reviews for Contra by Vampire Weekend ''. Metacritic. Retrieved July 27, 2010. Jump up ^ Phares, Heather. `` Contra -- Vampire Weekend ''. AllMusic. Retrieved June 5, 2012. Jump up ^ Hawthorne, Marc ( January 12, 2010 ). `` Vampire Weekend : Contra ''. The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 23, 2016. Jump up ^ Greenblatt, Leah ( January 7, 2010 ). `` Contra ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 17, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Simpson, Dave ( January 7, 2010 ). `` Vampire Weekend : Contra ''. The Guardian. Retrieved January 17, 2011. Jump up ^ Wood, Mikael ( January 8, 2010 ). `` Album review : Vampire Weekend 's ' Contra ' ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 23, 2016. Jump up ^ Christgau, Robert ( March 2010 ). `` Consumer Guide ''. MSN Music. Retrieved January 23, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Stokes, Paul ( January 8, 2010 ). `` Album review : Vampire Weekend -- ' Contra ' ( XL ) ''. NME. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2016. Jump up ^ Powell, Mike ( January 11, 2010 ). `` Vampire Weekend : Contra ''. Pitchfork. Retrieved January 23, 2016. Jump up ^ Dana, Will ( January 21, 2010 ). `` Contra : Vampire Weekend ''. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Dolan, Jon ( January 15, 2010 ). `` Review : Vampire Weekend, ' Contra ' ''. Spin. Retrieved January 23, 2016. Jump up ^ Nominees and Winners Archived 2011 - 12 - 01 at WebCite Grammy Awards. Note : reader must define `` Year '' parameter as 2010. Jump up ^ `` The 30 Best Albums of 2010 ''. Rolling Stone ( December 25, 2010 ). Retrieved 2011 - 01 - 18 Jump up ^ Ryon Dombal ( 16 December 2010 ). `` Staff Lists : The Top 50 Albums of 2010 ''. Pitchfork. Jump up ^ Caulfield, Keith ( 2010 - 01 - 20 ). `` Vampire Weekend Lands First No. 1 Album ''. billboard.com. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ Phillips, Amy ( 2010 - 02 - 20 ). `` Vampire Weekend Hit Number One ''. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ Thesing, Aaron ( 2010 - 01 - 27 ). `` A Sophomore Album That Does n't Suck ''. RUSE the. magazine. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ `` RIAA Gold and Platinum database ''. Retrieved 2012 - 06 - 02. Jump up ^ http://www.impalamusic.org/arc_static/docum/04-press/2009/PR%20-%2020100127.htm Jump up ^ `` Australiancharts.com -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra '' ( in German ). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Ultratop.be -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra '' ( in Dutch ). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra '' ( in French ). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend Chart History ( Canadian Albums ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Danishcharts.com -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra '' ( in Dutch ). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Alternative Top 30 '' ( in Dutch ). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend : Contra '' ( in Finnish ). Musiikkituottajat -- IFPI Finland. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Officialcharts.de -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Greekcharts.com -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` GFK Chart - Track Albums : Week 2, 2010 ''. Chart - Track. IRMA. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` TOP 10 INDEPENDENT ARTIST ALBUMS, WEEK ENDING 25 March 2010 ''. GFK Chart Track. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` Classifica settimanale dal 01 / 03 / 2010 al 07 / 03 / 2010 '' ( in Italian ). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on 2010 - 05 - 11. Retrieved 2010 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ コントラ ( in Japanese ). Oricon. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Official Retail Sales Chart - Top 100 ''. Polish Music Charts ( in Polish ). ZPAV. Archived from the original on 2012 - 04 - 07. Retrieved 2011 - 10 - 20. Jump up ^ `` Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` Spanishcharts.com -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Vampire Weekend -- Contra ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Official Albums Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend Chart History ( Billboard 200 ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend Chart History ( Independent Albums ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend Chart History ( Top Alternative Albums ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Vampire Weekend Chart History ( Top Rock Albums ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 2010 ''. ARIA. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` JAAROVERZICHTEN 2010 : Albums '' ( in Dutch ). ultratop.be. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` JAAROVERZICHTEN 2010 : Alternatieve lbums '' ( in Dutch ). ultratop.be. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` End Of Year Charts : 2010 '' ( PDF ). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 2011 - 08 - 10. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2010 - Billboard Top 200 ''. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010 - 12 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Independent Albums : 2010 Year - End Charts ''. Billboard. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` Alternative Albums : 2010 Year - End Charts ''. Billboard. Retrieved 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` Rock Albums : 2010 Year - End Charts ''. Billboard. Retrieved 16 April 2014. External links VW 's Track - by - Track Stream of the album at NPR Preceded by Conditions by The Temper Trap UK Independent number - one album 23 -- 30 January 2010 Succeeded by The Betrayed by Lostprophets Preceded by Animal by Kesha U.S. Billboard 200 number - one album 30 January 2010 - 6 February 2010 Succeeded by Hope For Haiti Now by Various Artists Canadian number - one album 30 January 2010 - 6 February 2010 Vampire Weekend Chris Baio Ezra Koenig Chris Tomson Rostam Batmanglij Studio albums Vampire Weekend Contra Modern Vampires of the City Singles `` Mansard Roof '' `` A-Punk '' `` Oxford Comma '' `` Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa '' `` The Kids Do n't Stand a Chance '' `` Horchata '' `` Cousins '' `` Giving Up the Gun '' `` Holiday '' `` White Sky '' `` Run '' `` Diane Young '' `` Ya Hey '' `` Unbelievers '' `` Step '' Related articles Discography Awards and nominations Discovery I Had a Dream That You Were Mine Time Crisis with Ezra Koenig Consequence of Sound 's Albums of the Year 2008 TV on the Radio -- Dear Science 2009 Animal Collective -- Merriweather Post Pavilion Vampire Weekend -- Contra 2011 St. Vincent -- Strange Mercy 2012 Frank Ocean -- Channel Orange 2013 Kanye West -- Yeezus 2014 The War on Drugs -- Lost in the Dream 2015 Kendrick Lamar -- To Pimp a Butterfly 2016 Beyoncé -- Lemonade 2017 Lorde -- Melodrama Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Contra_(album)&oldid=840863818 '' Categories : 2010 albums Vampire Weekend albums XL Recordings albums Albums produced by Rostam Batmanglij Worldbeat albums Hidden categories : Pages with citations lacking titles Pages with citations having bare URLs CS1 errors : dates Webarchive template webcite links CS1 Dutch - language sources ( nl ) CS1 Italian - language sources ( it ) CS1 uses Japanese - language script ( ja ) CS1 Japanese - language sources ( ja ) CS1 Polish - language sources ( pl ) Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from January 2010 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Čeština Español Français Galego Italiano עברית Lietuvių Nederlands Polski Português Svenska 4 more Edit links This page was last edited on 12 May 2018, at 17 : 35. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who is on the cover of the contra album
Answer: Ann Kirsten Kennis