Cold War Kids Bring Politically Inspired Tracks to ‘LA Divine’ Album Release Show in Los Angeles

Jillian Frankel
·1 min read

Los Angeles’ iHeartRadio Theater was packed with an intimate but dedicated crowd on Friday (April 7) to celebrate the same-day release of Cold War Kids’ latest album, LA Divine.

At the show, lead singer Nathan Willett discussed what’s different about their latest album, including the inspiration behind a few of the new songs. He said the track “Wilshire Protest” was inspired by a local political event he got to witness in the city the band hails from.

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“It was one of those moments where I was glad to be home and just walk and be a participant,” Willett said.

He explained that a handful of songs on the album are infused with national current events.

“I love this city, and it’s an interesting time of change, so I wanted to capture that,” Willett said.

In addition to performing songs from LA Divine — featuring the single “Love Is Mystical,” which peaked at No. 6 on the Alternative Songs chart — the five-piece group played tracks from albums Hold My Home, Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, Mine Is Yours, Loyalty to Loyalty and Robbers and Cowards. Crowd favorites included “Can We Hang On?” “First” and “Hang Me Up to Dry,” among others.

Willett also shared that the collaboration with Bishop Briggs on “So Tied Up” came about after he heard one of her songs on the radio and decided to direct message her on Twitter, unsure whether or not it would yield a song.

“I love a powerful woman’s voice,” he said.

Before closing, the group performed a cover of Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain,” which was met with whoops, cheers and dancing.

Listen to the complete track list for LA Divine below:

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