I've also been spinning the new Vampire Weekend over the past few days. It is wonderful. I believe they are one of those rare bands that simply get better and better with each release; they always do something that surprises me.
I also picked up the latest album by The National --Trouble Will Find me-- but I haven't had an opportunity to listen to it carefully yet. It seems fine on a first listen, but I keep finding myself popping Vampire Weekend into the CD player instead.
Ambient:
Recently received a copy of the untitled CD by Closing the Eternity and Mathias Grassow. I am absolutely blown away by this on multiple levels. First, the packaging is outstanding: 6-panel digipak containing filtered images of natural scenes and dark subterranean spaces. Second, the tracks are amazing; mostly field recordings, bowls, and various processed sounds--more on the organic than electronic side of things. The track on the bonus CD is wonderful too. (If I were in charge, I'd trim the first 10 mins of the second track, which is a bit too busy, and include the bonus track in its place.)
