Photo Credit: Sean Flynn

Today, Cold War Kids have delivered their first piece of new music since 2021’s full-length release, New Age Norms 3. The single, “Double Life,” showcases the ensemble’s trademark display of thunderous drums paired alongside frontman Nathan Willett’s impassioned vocals. 

Referencing Cold War Kids’ source of inspiration for the new number, Willett beckoned to The Pretenders’ 1979 track, “The Wait,” which he described as having “ lively bounce, swing, and edgy rock’n’roll riff [which] influenced “Double Life.” A hammering backbeat, soaring riffs, and playfully assembled lyrics evoke the expressive nature of the band’s exemplary delivery. 

“We all lead dual lives to some extent: one that reflects our authentic selves and another that feels uncomfortable or out of place in our surroundings. As a parent the last few years, my attention is always divided. And for myself and my friends, we are in this life phase where the masculine and feminine roles in relationships are blurring – and dads I see are so much more maternal than in the generation we were raised – which is wonderful and scary, but it’s OK,” Willet continued. 

“Double Life” arrives on the heels of Cold War Kids’ summer touring schedule, which will see the Long Beach, Calif.-formed group joins Tears for Fears on their North American tour, which commences on June 23 at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, N.J., with highly anticipated stops to follow at New York’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ famed Hollywood Bowl. 

For information on Cold War Kids’ forthcoming tour stops, visit their official website.

Listen to “Double Life” now. Scroll down to watch the official music video.