Possibly one of the coolest things about the Cold War Kids show at the Commodore in Vancouver was realizing that they already have two more albums worth of material set to be released this year, which hopefully means we are likely to see them again soon. They are one of the most consistent bands out there in terms of putting out music that resonates with their fan base, and their live show delivers on every level.
Even the opening band, a duo from Brooklyn called Overcoats, was a win. The vocal harmonies of Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell reverberated with folk tones over a backdrop of synth and electro-pop sounds. In the fall of 2019, they released the music video to their single “The Fool” which featured the pair cutting off each other’s long locks in favour of closely shaven buzz cuts. It was a statement that cemented their stature as artists whose breadth of expression encompasses a variety of mediums.
Cold War Kids vocalist Nathan Willet opened their set seated at a piano for a solo rendition of “Bottled Affection,” showing a sensitive side of the band that up until that moment, I hadn’t associated them with. One must give props to a band willing to open with a new twist on a deep cut, and this hit the mark for me. It felt like I fully understood the song for the first time that night.
As much as I love surprises like that tender opening gem, I also love what is tried, tested and true. So, when Willet stepped out from behind the piano and strode to the center of the stage projecting his signature self-assured swagger for “Love is Mystical,” I’m sure mine wasn’t the only heart at the Commodore Ballroom that felt full.
The band was operating at full throttle by third song “Miracle Mile,” and the energy stayed high for the rest of the evening with Willet flanked by bassist Matt Maust and guitarist David Quon running amok on stage beside him. The crowd was almost as energetic, with raised arms and pumping fists, many songs ended up being sing-a-longs.
There may be other bands that can be considered as soul-punk outfits, but as far as I know, there are none that sound quite like this five-piece outfit from Long Beach, California. They sing about messy things, and I love the way you can feel the ache in the song, but also to some extent, acceptance. On their newest album, New Age Norms the messy things are more external like “4th of July” or hit single “Complainer.”
Though all seven songs played from the new release were well received, it was their earlier tunes that fans responded to with the most enthusiasm. “Hang Me Up to Dry,” was a highlight because it got everyone swaying together on the dance floor as well as being one of the louder sing-a-longs. The closing song, “Something is Not Right with Me,” also seemed to resonate with everyone in the room, but with a much more rambunctious vibe.
Personally, I was there to see them play “First” live and if that was the only song they would have performed, I’d have gone home happy. Everything else was a beautiful, wise and wistful angst-ridden bonus.
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