Watch | The War On Drugs play Tiny Desk (Home) Concert - JME

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music’s Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It’s the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

In their Tiny Desk (home) concert, The War On Drugs gather in their packed studio in Burbank, CA to let us in on the fun and intricate inner workings of their craft. After opening the show with “I Don’t Live Here Anymore,” which shares the same title as their new album, frontman Adam Granduciel introduces the band and asks if anybody has a capo. Suddenly a very thoughtfully crafted tiny desk with drumsticks for legs (and topped with a tiny lamp too!) slowly lowers down into the space, delivering said capo. Granduciel smiles, and the group continues with three more tracks from the new record: “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” “Old Skin,” and “Change.”

Although the band’s big sound is fit to fill an arena, we’re lucky to get to hear it reverberating in this cozy setting. The War On Drugs’ fifth album, released Oct. 29, presents new songs that feel familiar and true to their sound. Originally based in Philadelphia, PA, the band’s members are now spread out across the country, but they came together to jam, demo, and ultimately record this album as a kindred unit.

The new songs are about reconnection, change, and uncertainty. This line from the title track resonates with me in the context of the daily unknown the pandemic has brought: “Time surrounds me like an ocean / My memories like waves / Is life just dying in slow motion / Or getting stronger everyday.” There’s beautiful tension and a lot of joy in these classic ballads.

SET LIST

“I Don’t Live Here Anymore”
“I Don’t Wanna Wait”
“Old Skin”
“Change”

MUSICIANS

Adam Granduciel: vocals, guitar
Dave Hartley: bass, backing vocals
Charlie Hall: drums
Anthony LaMarca: guitar, backing vocals
Robbie Bennett: keyboards
Jon Natchez: saxaphone, keyboards

CREDITS

Video: Cody William Smith, Danny Garfield
Audio: Austin Asvanonda
Director: Cody William Smith
Editor: Danny Garfield
Audio Mixing: Austin Asvanonda
Camera Operators: Paolo Arriola and Keith Pratt
Gaffer: Christopher Oh

TINY DESK TEAM

Producer: Maia Stern
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Bobby Carter, Kara Frame, Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann