Album Review: Cold War Kids - Dear Miss Lonelyhearts

If you have listened to the radio at all over the past five years, chances are you have heard Cold War Kids and just as likely have sung along to one of their tunes. Known best for their loud, catchy indie-rock anthems, featuring the powerful vocals of Nathan Willett, and an abundance of solid hooks, Cold War Kids have managed to generate a string of popular hits. 

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts is the fourth album release from the Long Beach-based quartet and while it sees them experiment with electronic beats and synths, the album essentially stays true to their signature sound. Fans of Cold War Kids' previous albums will applaud their return and revel in tracks such as Miracle Mile, Bottled Affection and Jailbirds. All three are destined to be successful based purely on sound. For those wanting to delve beneath the fist-pumping layer to explore the band's musical depth, Willet's eloquent storytelling will satisfy. Tales of heartache can be heard on the title track (“Water is for fish like air is for men”), on Jailbirds (“The sun is rising so late it's early/I have spread myself too thin again”) and Tuxedos (“I love to be a stranger at a wedding/'Cause tuxedos don't discriminate”). Also not to be missed on Tuxedos are the gospel-style back-up vocals – they augment the intensity of Willett's soulful crooning, which often makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts is another well-produced and polished release from Cold War Kids, with some really powerful and moving tracks. It's proof the band can consistently write great music and are here to stay (if anyone needed it).