Album Review: Cold War Kids – New Age Norms 1

Over the course of 15 years, Cold War Kids have managed to remain one of America’s biggest indie-rock acts without ever ascending to the heights of their peers. That’s not a knock on the band, more a tip of the hat to commend them for managing to stay relevant without ever being the most talked about rock act in the world.

The release of their seventh album, New Age Norms 1, won’t change that perception of the band, but the sparse eight-track album adds to their legacy and will no doubt please longtime fans. Cold War Kids once again mix things up with a genre-blending long-player anchored by frontman Nathan Willett’s unique vocals.

Lead single and opening track Complainer is a vibrant indie-pop delight, that's followed by the early Arcade Fire-esque Fine Fine Fine. Waiting For Your Love brings a dose of funk to proceedings, Beyond The Pale is a three-minute piano ballad, while Dirt In My Eyes is a dancefloor jam, and 4th Of July is a driving piano-centric tune that emphasises Willett’s falsetto. The album ends with the enlightening Calm Your Nerves and the majestically soothing Tricky Devil. New Age Norms 1 is another pleasing release from the Californian five-piece.