(Downtown Records/Cooperative)

Produced by Jacquire King of Only by the Night Kings of Leon fame, Cold War Kids’ third LP shows a more polished version of the Californian four-piece. Their older, minimalist arrangements are replaced by a more all-encompassing sound, with the title track itself offering a minute-long, croon-filled, U2-esque opening.

Nathan Willett’s recognisable vocal is still soulful and strong. Yet his decision to abandon the narrative storytelling of 2008’s Loyalty to Loyalty and focus lyrically on the ‘push and pull of human relationships’ – evident in ‘Sensitive Kid’ and the Zach Braff film trailer friendly ‘Skip The Charades’ – dilutes the quartet’s ramshackle quirkiness.

Cold War Kids - Mine Is Yours out January 25th, 2011