New year, new spins on old songs. Like so many other artists (such as Lady Gaga and Rick Ross), indie rock mainstays Vampire Weekend celebrated the end of 2013 with a remix of one of its latest songs: "Step." Never a band particularly afraid of blending with hip-hop, the "wintertime remix" of "Step" features up-and-coming rappers Danny Brown, Heems and Despot.
To fit in with the love theme of the original Modern Vampires of the City version of "Step," Brown, Heems and Despot all take on past loves in their rap verses, which help to compliment the soothing, classically influenced synthesizer chords of the music.
"Back, back way back I used to front like I was no one / Couldn't settle down, couldn't find a girl to hold on... / Now I found one with a handle that I can hold on," Brown barks in the first verse, opening the song and setting the vibes for the rest of the track.
While Brown raps about finding love, Heems reminisces about an old college love from Weslyan and Despot boasts about his one-of-a-kind girl.
It's a refreshing blend of love and happiness from the normally hardened rappers, and the "Step" remix helps to warm up these cold January days.
Listen to the Vampire Weekend, Danny Brown, Heems and Despot collaboration "Step" below, via SPIN:
