Cold War Kids

Formed in 2004 in Long Beach, California, Cold War Kids play indie rock infused with blues, soul and alternative pop, anchored by Nathan Willett’s expressive voice and Matt Maust’s bass. First noticed through a string of self-released EPs, the band broke through with Robbers & Cowards in 2006, marked by angular compositions, prominent piano and narrative lyrics that mix social portraits with spiritual references. Cold War Kids followed with Loyalty to Loyalty (2008) and Mine Is Yours (2011), which introduced more melodic songwriting and smoother productions, before exploring more electric and synthetic textures on Dear Miss Lonelyhearts (2013) and Hold My Home (2014). Embedded in the North American indie scene, the group toured extensively in clubs and at festivals while periodically refreshing its lineup around the Willett–Maust core. With L.A. Divine (2017) and the New Age Norms trilogy released between 2019 and 2021, they emphasized pop, groove and gospel influences. The self-titled Cold War Kids album from 2023 synthesizes these phases, combining rough guitars, more atmospheric rhythms and radio-friendly choruses while retaining a narrative-centered songwriting and dynamic contrasts.