VAMPIRE WEEKEND, REY FRESCO STAKE VIBE-RATER TURF

Just as the Twilight sequel sweeps at the box office, XL’s preppie African-popsters Vampire Weekend top the list of HITS Vibe-Rater newcomers with “Cousins,” the first single from their eagerly anticipated sophomore album, Contra, which arrives Jan. 12. The band’s already off to a great start at PoMo radio, taking a bite out of airplay at KNDD, KBZT, KNRK, KRBZ, WRXP, WEQX, Sirius XM Alt Nation, XMU and more. The press is also out in force with stories in Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Spin and more. Stateside tour begins Dec. 10 through Jan. 10. See their entry here.

Ventura-based rockers Rey Fresco, which means “Fresh King” en espanol, are the recipients of Triple A love for the track, “Precious Time,” from their Eight O Five indie album The People. They just finished touring with Ben Harper and Michael Franti and have some West Coast dates opening for reggae legends Toots and the Maytals from Nov. 27 through Dec. 3. The band’s being managed by veterans Fitzgerald Hartley. For the full entry, click here.

Phonogenic/Epic group The Script, the London-based Irish three-piece who re-enter the Vibe circle, are breaking out a new track, “Breakeven,” from their self-titled album, added this week at KLLC, KMXB, WPTE and WTMX, with multi-format spins everywhere. The band’s received more than 15m My Space plays and 500k+ YouTube views. Click for their entry here.