Vampire Weekend Enlist Sam Gendel And Goose For ’40:42′ EP

Almost two years after releasing their chart-topping album Father of the Bride, Vampire Weekend have released the 40:42 EP. The project features reimagined versions of "2021" from saxophonist Sam Gendel and Goose that each clock in at 20 minutes and 21 seconds.

"The 40:42 EP is out now," VW wrote on Instagram. "We asked two of our favorite artists (West Coast saxophonist @samgendel and Connecticut-based jam vanguards @goosetheband) to create 20 minute 21 second versions of '2021.' They knocked it out of the park. Both created striking, exploratory works that stand on their own. We hope these 40 minutes and 42 seconds of music will provide some peaceful, vibey atmosphere as we all move through 2021."

"2021 (in the space between two pieces of wood) by @samgendel⁣⁣," frontman Ezra Koenig wrote in a separate post. "Sam is one of my favorite artists working today. He takes the saxophone to places it’s never gone before. We’ve worked together on songs like 'Flower Moon' but I’m also just a fan.⁣⁣ His take on 2021 is such a deep, surprising journey. I especially love listening to it with the visual he created. A lot of the animation is improvised too using wild methods like a midi saxophone."

Listen to Gendel’s “2021 (in the space between two pieces of wood)” and Goose’s “2021 (January 5th, to be exact)” below.

Photo: Getty Images