Album Review: Cold War Kids - Hold My Home

Without Nathan Willett, Cold War Kids would be no different to the gamut of indie rock acts bursting out of America daily. Willett’s voice covers the spectrum of emotions with such boisterous enthusiasm, turning by-the-numbers melodies into fairly catchy tunes. He seems to mainly function on the settings of throat-straining singing or throat-slicing shouting, his voice the most gripping element of their music. Hold My Home is barely a tiptoe off where they left off with Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, but songs like opening thumper, All This Could Be Yours, and the hidden grooves of Drive Desperate, are reminders that Cold War Kids know their way around a pop song.

Truthfully though, you’re going to have to dig to notice the difference between this record and the entire Cold War Kids discography. Fans will be delighted by more of the same, but those seeking some variety will only get hints – in the ‘80s synth vibes of Hotel Anywhere and the trip-hop percussion of Nights & Weekends. The themes are distinctly of their oeuvre, jilted lovers and the potential of new romance explored. Funnily enough, the title track is one of the weaker songs here, almost a caricature in its big-percussion-meets-yelling composition.

At this point we’ve come to expect more from Cold War Kids, or want more from them at least. More of the same may sate the indie masses, but it isn’t enough to push them onto centre stage.