Louder, bigger, faster — the most fitting words to describe the transition from Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut to their sophomore effort “Contra.”

This all isn’t to suggest that Vampire Weekend has changed. They haven’t. They still mash together eclectic musical stylings and intelligent lyrics, throw it in a blender and top it off with synth overlays. But, Vampire Weekend’s budget did grow and sonically it shows. What the group didn’t do is allow cash to push them into the mainstream.

From the moment you pick up the album you’ll be well aware that the band wasn’t trying to separate themselves from their debut. The cover of “Contra” features the same faded wash cover, with their name in bold white letters across the front. Pop it open and put it in and the only change you’ll find will be in the production.

The drums kick harder, the guitar is slightly more polished and certainly much faster and the vocals are a bit more effect laden from time to time.

Perhaps the reason it is so easy to say that Vampire Weekend didn’t change is because it’s hard to put your finger on them in the first place. Their self-proclaimed mixture of influences is on full display here. African rhythms, tinkering piano lines, blaring trumpets, violin riffs and what-does-it-all-mean lyrics are often found on a single track.

Vampire Weekend does not function on a verse-chorus-verse system, but that isn’t to suggest that “Contra” is short of hooks. It’s just that instead of a chorus that repeats itself 5 times, lead vocalist Exra Koenig opted for catchy melodies that seem to inject themselves at random moments on any given track.

Lyrically, you get the impression that touring and fame didn’t have much of an effect on the group or at the very least Koenig. He still comes off as a college-aged kid with problems, only now his issues play out on a larger stage and perhaps that is problem enough.

In today’s music world, sticking to your style is becoming a rare attribute. Vampire Weekend wasn’t afraid and its confidence paid off. “Contra” is about as good a start to 2010 as the music world could ask for.