The once bluesy indie-rock band Cold War Kids embrace their current slick soul sound with strong pop sensibilities and songwriting on New Age Norms 1, the first in a trilogy of 8-song albums. Unabashedly assessible, tracks like “Complainer” offer funk of the Jason Mraz type, while “Beyond The Pale” is a ballad that would fit right into a set by Noah Gundersen or Dermot Kennedy. “Waiting For Your Love” is a feel-good, slinky number that is perhaps the strongest representation of this evolving group's sound, with Nathan Willett's vocals just as charismatic and interesting as ever.