Cold War Kids Cover Rihanna and More

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Behind the Scenes: This is what it looks like about 10 minute before the band goes live. Hanging in the Hallway. ALL PHOTOS BY BRIAN LOWE (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

Cold War Kids embrace a pop sensibility like never before on their new album, “LA Divine”.

Though the band has been active for over a decade, they saw breakout success with their single “First” off their last record, “Hold My Home“.  MBE host Jason Bentley had to ask – did it change them? Were they nervous about recording a follow up?

Singer Nathan Willett didn’t miss a beat in saying that it actually made them more confident and they wanted to make this record “in a way that wasn’t afraid of meeting anybody’s expectations.”

Longtime fans should naturally gravitate towards singles like “Love is Mystical” and “So Tied Up”, while I’m convinced that a country star is going to cover their 3rd single “Can We Hang On?” and make it a blockbuster chart topper.

In addition to the newbies, they delivered an incredible version of Rihanna’s “Love on The Brain” (at 27:50 in the full session). Apparently they have a studio version that will be making its way into the world soon. If this is any hint of what’s to come, it will be quite a treat.

Cold War Kids Live on MBE Set List

Love is Mystical
So Tied Up
Can We Hang On?
Mexican Dogs
Love on the Brain (Rihanna cover)
First

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