Cold War Kids: Biography, Albums, Essential Songs and Legacy

Cold War Kids brought soul, blues and piano to 2000s indie rock. Nathan Willett’s raw, yearning vocals and the band’s clattering, gospel-tinged sound made them stand out from the skinny-tie guitar bands of the era. Nearly two decades later, songs like “Hang Me Up to Dry” and “First” are alternative radio staples.

Cold War Kids at a glance

Formed	2004, Fullerton, California
Founding members	Nathan Willett (vocals, piano, guitar), Matt Maust (bass), Jonnie Russell (guitar), Matt Aveiro (drums)
Genres	Indie rock, alternative rock, blues rock
Breakthrough	Robbers & Cowards (2006)

Formation

Willett and Maust met while studying at Biola University in Southern California. Practicing in a Fullerton apartment, they built a raw, live-sounding style that drew on blues, soul and gospel as much as rock. A string of EPs and enthusiastic music blog coverage led to a deal with Downtown Records.

The albums

Robbers & Cowards (2006)

A striking debut full of character-driven songs. “Hang Me Up to Dry,” “We Used to Vacation” and “Saint John” made them indie favorites.

Loyalty to Loyalty (2008)

Darker and moodier, with “Something Is Not Right with Me.”

Mine Is Yours (2011)

A more polished, anthemic sound produced by Jacquire King.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts (2013)

Introduced keyboards and new members, including “Miracle Mile.”

Hold My Home (2014)

The commercial breakthrough. “First” topped Billboard’s alternative radio chart and became their biggest song. “All This Could Be Yours” and “Hot Coals” followed.

L.A. Divine (2017) and the New Age Norms trilogy (2019–2021)

L.A. Divine was a love letter to Los Angeles, with “Love Is Mystical.” The New Age Norms series of three albums continued their evolution.

Cold War Kids (2023)

A self-titled album that brought the band’s sound full circle.

Nathan Willett

Willett’s voice, part soul singer and part rock howl, is the band’s defining feature. His lyrics often tell stories of struggle, faith, family and redemption.

Legacy

Cold War Kids showed that indie rock could draw on American soul and gospel traditions, influencing a wave of piano-driven and soulful alternative bands. “First” in particular remains one of the most-played alternative songs of the 2010s.

Ten songs to start with

1. First
2. Hang Me Up to Dry
3. Miracle Mile
4. Love Is Mystical
5. We Used to Vacation
6. Saint John
7. All This Could Be Yours
8. Something Is Not Right with Me
9. Hospital Beds
10. Hot Coals

If you like Cold War Kids, try

The Airborne Toxic Event, The National, The Black Keys, Kings of Leon, Spoon and The Revivalists.

Frequently asked questions

When did Cold War Kids form?

In 2004 in Fullerton, California.

Who is the lead singer of Cold War Kids?

Nathan Willett.

What is Cold War Kids’ biggest song?

“First” (2014).

Is Cold War Kids still active?

Yes. Their most recent album is the self-titled Cold War Kids (2023).

About this article: Written and fact-checked by The Alternative One editorial team, the programmers and music writers behind the station’s on-air shows. Official artist website: www.coldwarkids.com. Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Read our editorial standards or tell us about a correction.