Karla Rendon
Staff Writer
Cold War Kids fans are in for quite a treat as the newest edition to their discography, “Dear Miss Lonelyhearts” was released on April 2.
Following their tradition of sassy pianos, enticing lyrics and front man Nathan Willett’s captivating voice, the Long Beach-based indie rock band does not disappoint.
With 10 songs on the new album, fans can agree that Cold War Kids have stuck with their roots of being the band with fun melodies and meaningful lyrics.
The first track called “Miracle Mile” is also the album’s first single, With a disposition cheery enough to make listeners dance, the song lyrics are inspiring enough to match the piano-heavy beat.
Throughout “Miracle Mile,” Willett sounds desperate as he describes undergoing a lonely and tough time in his life when he says, “Hold me again, don’t count mistakes; I lost track of them.”
The second song, “Lost That Easy,” includes an audacious piano and guitar duet that will be recognizable to fans.
While lyrics such as, “I’ve wandered, seen visions. I’ve gone off the deep end. I’m out there, you’ll find me. I never lost that easy,” are sung, listeners can tell the band has advanced lyric-wise whereas their old hit songs such as “Hang Me Up To Dry” and “Something Is Not Right With Me” have had lyrics that were much simpler and concise.
Before, the indie group’s songs succeeded in storytelling, such as their hit single, “We Used To Vacation,” a story through the eyes of an alcoholic family man.
But this this time around, lyric-wise, the tunes are more open for interpretation.
“Fear and Trembling,” the fourth track on “Dear Miss Lonelyhearts” is what divides the album from joyous rhythms to haunting measures leaving listeners in a trance by Willett’s ghostly vocals.
As the album progresses, the songs turn from energetic and joyful, to slow and thoughtful. The last few songs off the album are perfect for the heartbroken and the sentimental.
Willett’s unique voice perfectly balances out drummer Matt Aveiro’s thick-sounding drums. With a compelling outro with matching, passionate vocals and a hectic piano, the songs get increasingly emotional after this number.
Such as “Fear and Trembling,”“Jailbirds,” “Water and Power,” “Dear Miss Lonelyhearts”and “Bitter Poem.”
As their music matured, so did the connection between the beat and lyrics. This may appeal to a new audience as well as bring more appreciation from their old fans.
Not only did their connection develop, but so did Willett’s vocals. He is more daring with his range as shown in their most sentimental song off the record, “Bitter Poem.”
“Dear Miss Lonelyhearts” is now available in stores and iTunes. Cold War Kids are also on tour to promote the new album.
Karla Rendon can be reached at karla.rendon@laverne.edu.
