Description
Cold War Kids – LA Divine – Vinyl Record
Cold War Kids’ LA Divine, released on April 7, 2017, is the band’s sixth studio album and a love letter to their hometown of Los Angeles, California. Known for their soulful indie rock sound, the band expands their sonic palette on this album, incorporating more polished production, anthemic hooks, and themes that explore the city’s contradictions—its glamour and grit, its sprawling beauty and the challenges it presents to those who call it home.
LA Divine is also a reflection of the band’s evolution since their debut, Robbers & Cowards (2006). While staying true to their indie rock roots, the album embraces a more accessible, arena-ready sound. It captures the spirit of Los Angeles through stories of love, loss, ambition, and identity, all delivered with Nathan Willett’s soulful vocals and the band’s dynamic instrumentation.
The album draws heavily on the mythology and reality of Los Angeles, a city that symbolizes both opportunity and disillusionment. Cold War Kids explore these dualities through songs that grapple with personal struggles, romantic relationships, and the unique character of LA itself. The title, LA Divine, hints at the city’s almost spiritual allure while acknowledging its imperfections.
The album weaves narratives about love and resilience, set against the backdrop of LA’s sprawling urban landscape. It balances personal introspection with broader reflections on the city’s cultural and social fabric, making it both intimate and expansive.
LA Divine builds on the piano-driven, soul-inflected indie rock that Cold War Kids are known for but introduces a more polished, radio-friendly approach. The band experiments with elements of pop and modern production techniques, adding layers of synths and electronic textures to their sound. While some longtime fans saw this as a departure from their earlier rawness, the album’s slicker production aligns with its focus on LA’s larger-than-life character.
Nathan Willett’s expressive voice remains the centerpiece of the music, shifting effortlessly between impassioned yells and tender croons. The instrumentation, featuring pulsing basslines, crisp drumwork, and melodic piano riffs, provides a lush backdrop that enhances the emotional weight of the songs.
Key Tracks
Love Is Mystical
The album opens with this energetic, gospel-infused anthem. With its infectious chorus and driving rhythm, Love Is Mystical sets the tone for the album, exploring the transcendental nature of love and its power to uplift and heal.
Can We Hang On?
A heartfelt and nostalgic track that reflects on the fragility of relationships. The song’s yearning lyrics and sweeping instrumentation make it one of the album’s emotional highlights.
So Tied Up (featuring Bishop Briggs)
This duet with Bishop Briggs is a standout, blending soulful vocals with an upbeat, pop-leaning arrangement. The interplay between Willett and Briggs adds a dynamic tension to the song, which examines love’s highs and lows.
Restless
With its infectious groove and shimmering synths, Restless captures the feeling of yearning and dissatisfaction that often accompanies city life. The track’s upbeat tempo contrasts with its introspective lyrics.
LA River
One of the more introspective tracks on the album, LA River delves into the darker, less glamorous side of Los Angeles. The haunting piano and subdued instrumentation create a poignant atmosphere.
No Reason to Run
This track delivers a sense of urgency and defiance, with its driving beat and anthemic chorus. It’s a call to face challenges head-on, fitting within the album’s themes of resilience.
Wilshire Protest
A short interlude that paints a vivid picture of protest and unrest, tying the album’s personal themes to the broader cultural and social tensions of Los Angeles.
Invincible
A slow-burning ballad that explores vulnerability and strength in relationships. Willett’s emotive vocals are front and center, backed by a sparse yet powerful arrangement.
Part of the Night
A dreamy and reflective track that captures the romanticism of LA nightlife. The song’s lush soundscape mirrors the feeling of being swept up in the city’s energy.
Free to Breathe
The closing track is a contemplative and hopeful ballad, serving as a quiet, reflective finale to the album. It encapsulates the themes of resilience and self-discovery that run throughout the record.
LA Divine received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While some praised the band’s ability to craft catchy, emotionally resonant songs, others felt the album leaned too heavily on polished production and lacked the raw edge of their earlier work. Fans appreciated the thematic focus on Los Angeles and the way the album captured the city’s contradictions, but some longtime listeners were divided on the band’s move toward a more mainstream sound.
Commercially, LA Divine performed well, with Love Is Mystical becoming a standout single that received significant radio play. The album helped solidify Cold War Kids as a band capable of creating music that appeals to both indie rock purists and mainstream audiences.
LA Divine represents a mature and polished phase in Cold War Kids’ career. By embracing a more accessible sound while maintaining their knack for storytelling and emotional depth, the album showcases the band’s ability to evolve without losing their core identity. Its exploration of Los Angeles as both a muse and a character adds a unique layer to the album, making it a deeply personal yet universal work.
For listeners, LA Divine is a celebration of resilience, love, and the complexities of life in a sprawling, imperfect city. It captures the spirit of Los Angeles with all its contradictions, offering a soundtrack for those navigating its beauty and chaos. Whether as a love letter or a critique, the album solidifies Cold War Kids’ role as chroniclers of the human condition, filtered through the lens of their hometown.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Love is Mystical
Can We Hang On?
So Tied Up Featuring – Bishop Briggs
Restless
LA River
No Reason To Run
Open Up The Heavens
Invincible
Wilshire Protest
Luck Down
Ordinary Idols
Camera Always On
Part Of The Night
Free To Breathe
