Vampire Weekend is approaching the promotional cycle for its upcoming sophomore record, Contra, with panache and determination. Their slow viral takeover starts back up today with the debut of album opener “Horchata.” According to the Afropop quartet’s countdown clock website we’ll be able to download it very soon.

UPDATE: “Horchata” is available to download/stream now for the price of an e-mail address. There’s even an option to not sign up for the VW mailing list. (How nice of them.)

Based on our quick preview listen to the cut, the propulsive opener starts with frontman Ezra Koenig singing, “In December drinking horchata / I look psychotic in a balaclava.” Strings and backup vocals eventually swirl up to meet his voice.

Contra has a strong California influence so it makes sense that the globe-trotting group is taking a two-week excursion to the Golden State this November. The VW clan will hit up small venues in Pioneertown, Visalia, Santa Cruz and Bakersfield. A press release tells us that daily bulletins on the band’s website will tip off fans to other “impromptu events” throughout the California tour.

Contra is out January 12th on XL. All upcoming Vampire Weekend tour dates can be found below. They’re also hitting big cities such as London, Paris, Tokyo and Sydney: