iHeartRadio Hosts Intimate Cold War Kids Album Release Concert in L.A.

Joseph Baura

As products of Southern California, Cold War Kids are as eclectic and diverse in their music as the ever-changing population that makes up the greater Los Angeles area. With a sound that is as gritty and grimy rock and roll as it is smooth and mellow blues, the Cold War kids have a sound that still is hard to pigeonhole. In 2006, Cold War Kids released their single, “Hang Me Up To Dry,” which made its way up the charts in the U.S. Alternative Songs section and instantly made the band one to keep an eye on. Since then, CWK have released 6 albums, with their latest, “L.A. Divine,” just coming out this week on April 7. With their recent release, Cold War Kids wanted to take their sound back home and create an album that is an homage to the city that played a huge role in bringing them to their current state.

At the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, Cold War Kids were set to perform a set that was streamed online and on air for iHeartRadio viewers and listeners for the release of “L.A. Divine.” After a brief introduction, the band stepped onto the iHeart stage with fans ecstatic to hear some of their new music. Right off the bat, Cold War Kids started into a couple of songs off of their new album in “Love Is Mystical” and “Can We Hang On?” The band followed it with a very charged performance of their hit single “First,” which was met with fans jumping up and down and dancing within the intimate venue.

Before continuing on, lead singer Nathan Willett talked about the inspiration behind the album and the origin of its name, being that the album title itself pays tribute to their hometown. Willett then went to talk about how the events of this past year – from good to bad – played some part in the inspiration behind the album and the topics that they chose to tackle in their 11-song track list.

The band then performed their hit single “Hang Me Up To Dry,” and tackled their song “Mexican Dogs,” which Willett stated was inspired by a sign that they saw in Mexico during their tour across the country. CWK then went into a touching cover of Rihanna’s hit, “Love on the Brain,” which Willett sang his heart out on. Before leaving fans for the night, the band closed with their song “Something Is Not Right With Me.”

In performing a mix of old and new songs, it’s great to hear that Cold War Kids are bringing the same magnetic sound that they have been bringing for years. The songs that have emerged from “L.A. Divine” fit in perfectly with fan favorites and hits.

Cold War Kids performed at the iHeartRadio Theater on April 7.