The War on Drugs | Under the Radar Magazine Under the Radar | Music Blog for the Indie Music Magazine
Friday, April 26th, 2024  

News

The National and The War on Drugs Announce Joint “Zen Diagram Tour”

This September and October with Support from Lucius

Feb 26, 2024

Two titans of dad-rock, The National and The War on Drugs, have announced a joint tour they have dubbed the “Zen Diagram Tour.” Lucius will be the opener on all but one date. More

The War on Drugs Announce Three Holiday Shows Benefitting the Philadelphia School District

“A Drugcember to Remember” Shows Happen December 19-21 at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia

Dec 01, 2022

The War on Drugs have announced three holiday shows later this month that are being called “A Drugcember to Remember” and will benefit The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. More

Nov 15, 2022

The nominations for the 2023 Grammy Awards have been announced. Under the Radar favorites Wet Leg got five nominations, including for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album. Other artists we cover to get nominations include Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Björk, Spoon, The War on Drugs, Wilco, Big Thief, Arctic Monkeys, IDLES, Beck, Spiritualized, The Black Keys, and more. More

10 Best Songs of the Week: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arctic Monkeys, Paramore, Wings of Desire, and More

Plus The Go! Team, Badlands, Alice Boman, The War on Drugs, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Sep 30, 2022

Welcome to the 37th Songs of the Week of 2022. This week Florida was devastated by Hurricane Ian and here at Under the Radar headquarters we are currently getting rain connected to storm, with heavy rainfall expected this weekend. One of our writers is in Tampa, Florida, but luckily the power stayed on yesterday while he was doing an interview for our next print issue. Speaking of which, we are very much focused on the next two print issues right now, so we were a bit indecisive about this week’s Songs of the Week. So we settled on a Top 12 and there are lots of honorable mentions this week. More

Sep 26, 2022

The War on Drugs have released the deluxe version of their latest album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, today. It features two previously unreleased songs: “Oceans of Darkness” and “Slow Ghost.” More

Aug 29, 2022

The War on Drugs have announced a limited edition box set release for their most recent studio album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore. The release will feature the original album on heavyweight vinyl and cassette in addition to a 7-inch vinyl of two previously unreleased tracks: “Oceans of Darkness” and “Slow Ghost.” It will also include a 16-page booklet, a poster, postcards, and an embroidered patch. The box set is limited to 5,000 copies and is expected to ship in late November. More

Jun 22, 2022

Nightlands (the solo project of The War on Drugs’ Dave Hartley) has shared a video for his new song “Stare Into the Sun.” It is the latest release from his forthcoming studio album, Moonshine, which will be out on July 15 via Western Vinyl. More

May 23, 2022

Nightlands (the solo project of The War on Drugs’ Dave Hartley) has shared a video for his new song “No Kiss For The Lonely.” It is the latest release from his forthcoming studio album, Moonshine, which will be out on July 15 via Western Vinyl. More

Apr 14, 2022

Nightlands (the solo project of The War on Drugs’ Dave Hartley) has announced the release of a new album, Moonshine, which will be out on July 15 via Western Vinyl. Hartley has also shared a video for the album’s title track. More

The War on Drugs Announce New Summer and Fall 2022 North American Tour Dates

New Shows in Charlottesville, New Orleans, Baltimore, Toronto, Denver, San Diego, Memphis, Orlando, Oklahoma City, and Elsewhere

Feb 22, 2022

The War on Drugs have announced some new North American tour dates for this summer and fall. They include new dates in Charlottesville, New Orleans, Baltimore, Toronto, Denver, San Diego, Memphis, Orlando, Oklahoma City, and elsewhere. More

The War on Drugs Announce New May and June U.S. Tour Dates

I Don’t Live Here Anymore Out Now via Atlantic

Feb 01, 2022

The War on Drugs have announced some new U.S. tour dates. They happen this May and June and include shows in New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and elsewhere. More

Under the Radar’s Top 130 Songs of 2021

Our Favorite 2021 Tracks That You Can Listen to All Day Long, All Day Long

Jan 25, 2022

It is confounding that so many outlets insist on posting best songs of the year lists in early December. Not only are there several more weeks left in the year, in which a number of potential great songs could be released, it also takes time to digest all the tracks released in November and earlier in the fall. We’ve obviously taken too much time. More

Jan 07, 2022

2021 began and ended in a state of uncertainty, but was still a fruitful year for new music. Here are Under the Radar‘s 100 favorite albums from the year. More

Watch The War on Drugs Perform “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” on Ellen

I Don’t Live Here Anymore Out Now via Atlantic

Jan 04, 2022

Today, The War on Drugs took to the stage on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to perform the song “I Don’t Live Here Anymore,” from their most recent album of the same name. The band was joined by featuring artists Lucius. More

Under the Radar Announces Special 20th Anniversary Double Issue

Issue 69 Has Two Cover Group Shots Featuring Grandaddy, CHVRCHES, Kamasi Washington, Bat For Lashes, Weyes Blood, The Divine Comedy, Elbow, Nilüfer Yanya, Miki Berenyi, The Horrors, and Rose Elinor Dougall

Dec 21, 2021

Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our new print issue, which is our special 20th Anniversary Issue. It’s a double issue celebrating two decades of the magazine (our first issue came out in December 2001). The issue has shipped out to subscribers and stores and can now be bought from us directly here. The issue features two special covers, each featuring a different group of musicians together. More

The War on Drugs Announce Livestream Concert, Play on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” with Lucius

Livestream Premieres December 9, On Demand from December 10-12

Nov 18, 2021

The War on Drugs have announced a livestream concert, Living Proof: The War on Drugs Global Live Event. Filmed at the Ukrainian cultural center in Los Angeles, the concert is set to premiere on December 9 and will be available on demand from December 10-12. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Nov. 19). Last night, the band played on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where they performed the title track from their newly-released album I Don’t Live Here Anymore, and were joined by Lucius. More

Watch The War on Drugs’ Tiny Desk (Home) Concert for NPR

I Don’t Live Here Anymore Out Now via Atlantic

Nov 01, 2021

The War on Drugs have performed a Tiny Desk (Home) Concert for NPR, where they performed four songs from their newest album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore: “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” “Old Skin,” “Change,” and the album’s title track. The new album is out now via Atlantic. More

The War on Drugs Play Three New Songs on “CBS This Morning”

I Don’t Live Here Anymore Out Now via Atlantic

Nov 01, 2021

The War on Drugs performed on CBS This Morning over the weekend, where they played three new songs from their newly-released album I Don’t Live Here Anymore: “Occasional Rain,” “Old Skin,” and “Change.” More

10 Best Songs of the Week: Metronomy, Spoon, The War on Drugs, SASAMI, and More

Plus Ibibio Sound Machine, Yard Act, Midnight Oil, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Oct 29, 2021

Welcome to the 41st Songs of the Week of 2021. It may be Halloween on Sunday, but there weren’t any particularly spooky new songs this week. More

The War on Drugs Share New Song “Change”

I Don’t Live Here Anymore Due Out This Friday via Atlantic

Oct 26, 2021

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, this Friday via Atlantic. Now they have shared its third single, “Change.” The six-minute song is about how hard it can be to truly change and move forward. More

The Rolling Stones Share Previously Unreleased Song “Troubles A’ Comin”

Tattoo You (40th Anniversary) Due Out October 22 via Universal

Sep 30, 2021

The Rolling Stones have shared the previously unreleased track “Troubles A’ Comin.” The song is a cover of the 1970 original from R&B quartet The Chi-Lites, and it was recorded by the band in Paris in 1979. It will be featured on the upcoming 40th anniversary reissue of their 1981 album Tattoo You, due out October 22 via Polydor/Interscope/UMe. More

14 Best Songs of the Week: The War on Drugs, Hatchie, Sam Evian, Magdalena Bay, and More

Plus Tonstartssbandht, Snail Mail, My Morning Jacket, Coco, Ducks Ltd., and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Sep 17, 2021

Welcome to the 35th Songs of the Week of 2021. It was a blockbuster week for new songs, with lots of strong contenders. We tried to show a bit of restraint and keep it to an already over-stuffed Top 12, but then we just went for it with a Top 14. I mean, whose going to tell us we can’t pick 14 favorite songs? It’s our website and we have no corporate overlords. More

The War on Drugs Share Video for New Song “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” (Feat. Lucius)

I Don’t Live Here Anymore Due Out October 29 via Atlantic

Sep 15, 2021

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, on October 29 via Atlantic. Now they have shared its second single, “I Don’t Live Here Anymore,” which features backing vocals from Lucius and has a big bold 1980s rock sound. It was shared via an 1980s feeling video. More

Watch The War on Drugs Perform “Living Proof” on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”

I Don’t Live Here Anymore Due Out October 29 via Atlantic

Sep 08, 2021

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, on October 29 via Atlantic. Previously they shared its first single, album opener “Living Proof,” via a video for it. Last night they remotely performed “Living Proof” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. It was filmed at Boulevard Recording Studio in Los Angeles. More

12 Best Songs of the Week: The War on Drugs, Penelope Isles, Indigo De Souza, Piroshka, and More

Plus Big Red Machine, Ora the Molecule, Low, illuminati hotties, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Jul 23, 2021

Welcome to the 28th Songs of the Week of 2021. It was a nice week for new music, with some strong new singles (some connected to album announcements) and some wonderful album tracks we’ve long wanted to share with our readers and can now that the albums are out. We had enough tracks for a Top 12 this week, but many of the honorable mentions are worthy too. More

The War on Drugs Announce New Album and Tour, Share Video for New Song “Living Proof”

I Don’t Live Here Anymore Due Out October 29 via Atlantic

Jul 19, 2021

The War on Drugs have announced a new album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, and shared its first single, album opener “Living Proof,” via a video for it. They’ve also announced some 2022 tour dates. More

Nov 10, 2020

The War on Drugs are releasing a new live album, simply titled LIVE DRUGS, on November 20 via frontman Adam Granduciel’s own Super High Quality Records. Now they have shared its second single, a cover of Warren Zevon’s “Accidentally Like a Martyr,” a song they have covered before, and announced a new podcast, The Super High Quality Podcast, that covers the making of the album. More

The War on Drugs Announce New Live Album, Share Live Version of “Pain”

LIVE DRUGS Due Out November 20 via Super High Quality Records

Oct 06, 2020

The War on Drugs have a reputation for being a fantastic live band, but alas you’re not likely to see them (or any other band) in concert anytime soon. To tide you over, they have announced a new live album, simply titled LIVE DRUGS, and shared its first single, a live version of “Pain” (a song from their last album, 2017’s A Deeper Understanding). More

Watch The War on Drugs Play “In Reverse” and Cover Warren Zevon for Voter Livestream

The Band Covered “Accidentally Like a Martyr” for A Concert For Voter Registration

Aug 17, 2020

On August 14th, Vote Ready, A Concert For Voter Registration, organized by Live From Out There, Fort William Artist Management, and the voter engagement advocacy group HeadCount gathered a bunch of indie rock stars for a live streamed concert. Among them were legends The War on Drugs. In traditional split-screen video form, the band treated fans with a cover of “Accidentally Like a Martyr” by Warren Zevon and their own track “In Reverse.” More

The Rolling Stones Share New “Scarlet” Remix by The War on Drugs

From Their Upcoming Goats Head Soup Reissue Due Out September 4 via Interscope/Polydor/UMe

Aug 14, 2020

The Rolling Stones have shared a remix by The War on Drugs of their previously unreleased song “Scarlet” from the forthcoming reissue of their 1973 album Goats Head Soup. More

Apr 10, 2018

The War on Drugs released a new album, A Deeper Understanding, last August via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). It was Under the Radar’s #1 Album of 2017. Last night they stopped by Late Night with Seth Meyers to perform the album’s “In Chains.” More

Pitchfork Music Festival Full 2018 Lineup: Tame Impala, Courtney Barnett, Fleet Foxes, and More

Plus Julien Baker, The War on Drugs, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Blood Orange, Japanese Breakfast, Kelly Lee Owens, Moses Sumney, Lucy Dacus, Big Thief, and More

Mar 13, 2018

Chicago’s the Pitchfork Music Festival has been slowly announcing their lineup via a mural with the artists’ names being painted on it over the last few weeks. Now the final and full lineup has been revealed for the festival, which goes down July 20 to 22 in Chicago’s Union Park. More

The War on Drugs Announce More Spring U.S. Tour Dates

A Deeper Understanding Out Now via Atlantic

Jan 31, 2018

The War on Drugs released a new album, A Deeper Understanding, last August via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). It was Under the Radar’s #1 Album of 2017. More

We’re Supposed to Report on Last Night’s Grammys, But We Don’t Want To

Congrats to The War on Drugs, The National, and Father John Misty, and That's About It

Jan 29, 2018

We’re a music magazine and website and so I guess we’re supposed to report on last night’s Grammy Awards, but we really don’t want to. More

Jan 23, 2018

The War on Drugs released a new album, A Deeper Understanding, back in August via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). It was Under the Radar’s #1 Album of 2017. More

Shaky Knees Festival Lineup - The National, Jack White, The War on Drugs, Fleet Foxes, and More

Plus Queens of the Stone Age, Courtney Barnett, David Byrne, Franz Ferdinand, Alvvays, and Others

Jan 08, 2018

The lineup for the 2018 Shaky Knees Music Festival has been announced. The festival goes down in Atlanta, GA’s Central Park May 4-6. The headliners are The National, Jack White, and Queens of the Stone Age. More

Coachella 2018 Announces Lineup Featuring Beyoncé, The War on Drugs, St. Vincent, and More

Plus The Weeknd, Eminem, Fleet Foxes, alt-J, Perfume Genius, Moses Sumney, Angel Olsen, First Aid Kit, Japanese Breakfast, and Others

Jan 03, 2018

Coachella has announced the lineup for their 2018 festival, which goes down in Indio, California over two weekends in April (with the same bill each weekend). Friday April 13 and 20 is headlined by The Weeknd, Saturday April 14 and 21 is headlined by Beyoncé, and Sunday April 15 and 22 is headlined by Eminem. More

Under the Radar’s Top 100 Albums of 2017

Another Dark Year Was Brightened By a Plethora of Fantastic Albums

Dec 30, 2017

2016 was regarded as a fairly rough year by many, but 2017 was no walk in the park either. 2016 was mired by the deaths of several beloved musical icons (David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, George Michael, and Sharon Jones among them) and the disappointing and divisive Presidential election, but in 2017 we had to deal with the ramifications of said election (we’d say that roughly 95% of the musicians we interview likely don’t support many, if any, of President Trump’s policies). More

Grammys 2018 Nominations: Lorde, Father John Misty, The National, The War on Drugs, and More

Plus Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, JAY-Z, Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire, Leonard Cohen, LCD Soundsystem, and Others Get Nominations

Nov 28, 2017

The 2018 Grammy Awards nominations have been announced. Childish Gambino, JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, and Bruno Mars are all vying for Album of the Year. Arcade Fire, Gorillaz, LCD Soundsystem, Father John Misty, and The National compete for Best Alternative Music Album. More

Watch: The War on Drugs - “Nothing to Find” Video

A Deeper Understanding Out Now via Atlantic

Oct 24, 2017

The War on Drugs released a new album, A Deeper Understanding, back in August via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). Now they have shared a video for “Nothing to Find.” Ben Free directed the clip, which stars actress Sophia Lillis (It) and features a strange road trip. More

Oct 06, 2017

Tom Petty, the singer/songwriter/guitarist who found success in the 1970s and 1980s with his band as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, died Monday night after suffering cardiac arrest Sunday night in his home in Malibu, Los Angeles. He was 66. More

Album of the Week: The War on Drugs

A Deeper Understanding Out Now via Atlantic

Aug 25, 2017

Adam Granduciel is a musician’s musician, a terribly trite saying but one that speaks to the level of perfection Granduciel expects from himself. As bandleader of The War on Drugs, Granduciel has made a name for himself for his larger-than-life songwriting and sweeping electric guitar, both on full display on the bands new record, A Deeper Understanding. More

Stream the New The War on Drugs Album for the Next 24 Hours

A Deeper Understanding Due Out This Friday via Atlantic

Aug 23, 2017

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, A Deeper Understanding, this Friday via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). Now you can stream the whole thing early over at their website now, but only for the next 24 hours (or possibly 22 or 23 hours or less now, depending on when this went live). More

Aug 21, 2017

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, A Deeper Understanding, this Friday via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). Now the band has shared a video for one of the album’s five singles, “Pain.” More

Eight Best Songs of the Week: Julien Baker, The War on Drugs, LCD Soundsystem, Wolf Alice, and More

Plus Alvvays, Ariel Pink, Yumi Zouma, Madeline Kenney, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Aug 18, 2017

Charlottesville, Virginia is only just over an hour a way from Under the Radar‘s headquarters. It’s the best local city to see shows in and it’s a great little progressive college town that we visit often. So we watched in horror, disbelief, and disgust last weekend as the violent and tragic events in Charlottesville surrounding the white supremacist rally dominated the news. More

The War on Drugs Share Six-Minute Album Opener “Up All Night”

A Deeper Understanding Due Out August 25 via Atlantic

Aug 15, 2017

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, A Deeper Understanding, on August 25 via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). Now the band has shared the album’s six-minute long glorious opening track, “Up All Night.” More

Watch The War on Drugs Perform “Pain” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

A Deeper Understanding Due Out August 25 via Atlantic

Aug 10, 2017

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, A Deeper Understanding, on August 25 via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). Last night they stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform recent single “Pain.” Check out the performance below, followed by the band’s upcoming tour dates. More

Listen: The War on Drugs - “Accidentally Like a Martyr” (Warren Zevon Cover)

A Deeper Understanding Due Out August 25 via Atlantic

Aug 09, 2017

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, A Deeper Understanding, on August 25 via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). Now the band has shared a cover of Warren Zevon’s 1979 song “Accidentally Like a Martyr,” recorded for a Spotify session. More

Eight Best Songs of the Week: The War on Drugs, Widowspeak, Bully, Yumi Zouma, and More

Plus Everything Everything, Deerhoof, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Aug 04, 2017

The War on Drugs’ last album, Lost in the Dream, was our #1 album of 2014 and a lot of other people agreed with us too. Based on the four singles shared thus far from their forthcoming new album, A Deeper Understanding, the band is already in strong Album of the Year waters for 2017. More

The War on Drugs Share Expansive New Song “Pain”

A Deeper Understanding Due Out August 25 via Atlantic

Aug 04, 2017

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, A Deeper Understanding, on August 25 via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). Now they have shared another single from the album, “Pain.” It starts off slow and dreamy, but eventually gets more expansive, climaxing with a transcendent guitar solo. More

Six Best Songs of the Week: Grizzly Bear, The War on Drugs, Wolf Parade, and More

Plus Jaws of Love., Phoebe Bridgers, Lost Horizons, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Jul 21, 2017

This week we announced our new print issue, which features Grizzly Bear on the cover, so how could we not name them Song of the Week? But they legitimately deserve the honor, as each of the four singles from their forthcoming new album, Painted Ruins, have been stellar and “Neighbors” is no exception. More

Under the Radar Announces Summer 2017 Issue with Grizzly Bear on the Cover

Issue 61 Also Includes Interviews with The War on Drugs, The National, Broken Social Scene, Slowdive vs. Ariel Pink, Phoenix, Beach House, and Much More

Jul 18, 2017

Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our Summer 2017 Issue, which is out now digitally via Under the Radar’s app and the magazine app Readly. The print version has shipped out to subscribers and stores and will be on all newsstands soon (as well as available soon digitally via the magazine app Zinio). The issue features Grizzly Bear on the cover. More

The War on Drugs Share Atmospheric New Song “Strangest Thing”

A Deeper Understanding Due Out August 25 via Atlantic

Jul 18, 2017

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, A Deeper Understanding, on August 25 via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). Previously they shared the 11-minute long A Deeper Understanding cut (and Record Store Day single) “Thinking of a Place,” announced a fall tour, and also shared another song from the album, “Holding On,” as well as performing the song on The Late Show with Stephen Colbertand sharing a video for “Holding On” featuring actor Frankie Faison (The Wire, Luke Cage, The Silence of the Lambs). More

Soundtracking the Resistance - The Trump Testimonials

Featuring Sharon Van Etten, Hercules & Love Affair, Radiohead, The Regrettes, and The War on Drugs

Jun 16, 2017

The problem with politics, like too many other things, is that it moves so fast. This is exacerbated by a presidency that seems to go through crises like the average person goes through socks. More

Watch: The War on Drugs - “Holding On” Video

A Deeper Understanding Due Out August 25 via Atlantic

Jun 13, 2017

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, A Deeper Understanding, on August 25 via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). More

Jun 06, 2017

The War on Drugs are releasing a new album, A Deeper Understanding, on August 25 via Atlantic, their first for the label (previously they were on Secretly Canadian). More

Six Best Songs of the Week: Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Big Thief, The War on Drugs, and More

Plus Broken Social Scene, Liam Gallagher, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Jun 02, 2017

This week was marred by President Trump pulling out of the Paris Accords climate change agreement, but it was a strong one for music. To help you sort through the multitude of new songs released in the last seven days, we have picked the five best. More

The War on Drugs Announce New Album, Share New Song - “Holding On”

A Deeper Understanding Due Out August 25 via Atlantic

Jun 01, 2017

The War on Drugs recently released a brand new 11-minute long song, “Thinking of a Place,” for Record Store Day and announced a fall tour. Now they have announced their new album, A Deeper Understanding, and shared another song from it, “Holding On.” More

Watch: Nightlands (The War on Drugs’ Dave Hartley) - “You’re Silver” Video

I Can Feel the Night Around Me Out Now via Western Vinyl

May 17, 2017

Nightlands is the Philadelphia-based project of Dave Hartley, who is the longtime bassist of The War on Drugs. A couple of weeks back the third Nightlands album, I Can Feel the Night Around Me, was released via Western Vinyl. More

The War on Drugs Announce Fall North American and European Tour Dates

"Thinking of a Place" Single Out Now via Atlantic

Apr 28, 2017

The War on Drugs recently released a brand new 11-minute long song, “Thinking of a Place,” for Record Store Day. Now they announced an extensive fall tour that covers North America and parts of Europe. More

Apr 21, 2017

The War on Drugs’ Lost in the Dream was our #1 album of 2014 and a lot of other people agreed with us too. There have been hints that the band’s major label debut (they moved from Secretly Canadian to Atlantic in 2015) might be on the way this year and yesterday the band shared a brief new video that featured a snippet of instrumental music and cut together black & white photos of the band in the recording studio. Now the band have shared a previously announced new song, “Thinking of a Place,” which will be released as a 12-inch single on Record Store Day tomorrow. More

The War on Drugs Tease New Music with Social Media Video

Is the Follow-up to Lost in the Dream Going to Be Announced Soon?

Apr 20, 2017

The War on Drugs’ Lost in the Dream was our #1 album of 2014 and a lot of other people agreed with us too. More

100 Artists Sign Guitar for Planned Parenthood - Michael Stipe, Florence Welch, Feist, and More

Plus Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, Mac DeMarco, Lady Gaga, Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner, Jim James, Matt Berninger, Perfume Genius, and Others

Apr 17, 2017

Over 100 artists have signed an acoustic guitar for Planned Parenthood and for $10 you can buy a drawing ticket to enter to win the guitar. More

Mar 24, 2016

Last week The National revealed the tracklist and release date for for their Grateful Dead tribute compilation Day Of The Dead. Now they’ve shared five songs featuring some well-known musicians: The War On Drugs’ “Touch Of Grey,” Courtney Barnett’s “New Speedway Boogie,” Bruce Hornsby and Justin Vernon’s old band DeYarmond Edison’s “Black Muddy River,” The National’s “Morning Dew,” and Phosphorescent, Jenny Lewis and Friends cover of “Sugaree.” More

The War on Drugs Sign to Atlantic Records

Band Goes Major Label for Two-Album Deal

Jun 12, 2015

The War on Drugs’ Lost in the Dream was our #1 album of 2014 and a lot of other people agreed with us too. So it’s no surprise that they’ve been scooped by a major label following the end of their stint with indie label Secretly Canadian. More

Apr 21, 2015

Yesterday in a strange cultural mash-up, The War on Drugs performed “Red Eyes” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, making their daytime television debut. More

Watch: The War on Drugs on “Kimmel”

Performs "Under the Pressure" and "Disappearing"

Apr 14, 2015

Continuing to revel in the success of his critically acclaimed album Lost in the Dream, The War on Drugs, aka Adam Granduciel, was welcomed as the musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! More

Check Out Photos from SXSW 2015 of The War on Drugs, Courtney Barnett, Laura Marling, and More

Plus Shots of The Twilight Sad, Twin Peaks, Only Real, Ibeyi, Tom Brosseau, Jess Williamson, and Seoul

Mar 27, 2015

Under the Radar‘s own Wendy Lynch Redfern was down in Austin for SXSW last week. Here’s a selection of her live photos from non-Under the Radar events. More

The War on Drugs Add Tour Dates

Supporting Lost in the Dream

Mar 06, 2015

Recently launching an extensive tour behind his critically-acclaimed album Lost in the Dream, The War on Drugs, aka Adam Granduciel, has announced even more shows surrounding his upcoming appearances at Coachella, Governor’s Ball, Sasquatch and Bonnaroo. More

The War on Drugs Announce Tour

Lost in the Dream Out Now

Jan 16, 2015

Responsible for Under the Radar‘s Best Album of 2014, The War on Drugs, a.k.a. Adam Granduciel, has announced plans for a new set of shows this spring. More

Jan 07, 2015

The War on Drugs made our favorite album of 2014, and now they’re flaunting that fact on late night TV. More

Under the Radar Announces Best of 2014 Issue with St. Vincent on the Cover

Issue 52 Also Includes Interviews with Jenny Lewis, The War on Drugs, James Franco, Ariel Pink vs. Panda Bear, Jason Schwartzman vs. Real Estate, the Cast of The Walking Dead, "Weird Al" Yankovic, The Flaming Lips, Sharon Van Etten, and More.

Dec 19, 2014

Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of the Best of 2014 Issue, which is about to hit newsstands and will be out all of January and February. It features St. Vincent on the cover and interviews with some of the artists behind 2014’s best albums. More

Dec 16, 2014

Belle & Sebastian, Caribou, and The War on Drugs are all slated to play Way Out West this August. More

Oct 31, 2014

Last night The War on Drugs were welcomed as the musical guest on Conan. More

Watch: The War on Drugs – “Under the Pressure” Video

Lost In the Dream is Out Now Via Secretly Canadian

Aug 20, 2014

The War on Drugs’ nine-minute jam “Under the Pressure” has gotten the video treatment. More

Subscribe for Two Years and Get a Free CD and Complimentary Digital Magazine Access

Includes Albums by The War on Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Temples, Liars, Mac DeMarco, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, Charli XCX, and More

Jul 15, 2014

Take out a two-year print subscription to Under the Radar and receive a free CD in the mail. Current choices include recent albums by The War on Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Temples, Liars, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, Charli XCX, Mac DeMarco, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Kevin Drew (of Broken Social Scene), Connan Mockasin, and more. More

Jul 08, 2014

The War on Drugs stopped by Letterman last night and played “Red Eyes” off their latest album, Lost In the Dream. More

Under the Radar Announces the June/July Issue Featuring Future Islands on the Cover

Also featuring interviews with Slowdive, Slow Club, First Aid Kit, Lykke Li, James McAvoy, The Horrors, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The War on Drugs vs. Sharon Van Etten, and More

May 23, 2014

Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of the June/July issue, which is on newsstands now. It features Future Islands on the cover as well as interviews with Slow Club, Lykke Li, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Horrors, Slowdive, The War on Drugs vs. Sharon Van Etten, First Aid Kit, James McAvoy, John Slattery, tUnE-yArDs, and more. More

Watch: The War on Drugs’ KEXP Session

Lost In The Dream is out now via Secretly Canadian

Apr 10, 2014

The War on Drugs recently stopped by the ever-dependable KEXP to record a live session. More

Mar 31, 2014

We’re not the only ones with a serious love for The War on Drugs. My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James recently joined the band onstage in Portland. More

Mar 25, 2014

Oh come on, like their great new album Lost the Dream isn’t reason enough to go see The War of Drugs live. More

Download War on The Drugs’ Recent New York Show

Lost in the Dream Is Out Now Via Secretly Canadian

Mar 24, 2014

We’ve all spent the appropriate amount of time listening to The War on Drugs’ excellent new album Lost in the Dream, right? More

Mar 10, 2014

Next week Philadelphia outfit The War on Drugs will release their latest album Lost in the Dream. More

Watch: The War on Drugs – “Red Eyes”

Lost in the Dream Due Out March 18

Mar 05, 2014

Lost the Dream, The War on Drugs’ new album, is due out March 18. Ahead of that, here’s the video for album track “Red Eyes.” More

Dec 04, 2013

Philadelphia outfit The War on Drugs have announced the follow-up to their 2011 sophomore album Slave Ambient. More

Oct 13, 2012

On Friday October 12, the Austin City Limits Music Festival kicked off in Austin, TX. We sent photographer Robert Redfield down to capture the action. Check out his photos of Tegan and Sara, M83, Florence and the Machine, The War on Drugs, First Aid Kit, Patrick Watson, Alabama Shakes and Esperanza Spalding here. More

Apr 26, 2012

Making their late night television debut earlier this year on Fallon, The War on Drugs made their second network appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman last night. More

Digital Version of Under the Radar’s Best of 2011 Issue Contains 100 Pages of Bonus Content

Additional Bonus Interviews With: Future Islands, Metronomy, Zola Jesus and More

Mar 10, 2012

Just a reminder that the not-to-be-missed digital version of Under the Radar’s “Best of 2011” issue (available for Mac, PC, iPad, and Android via Zinio here) includes the same articles that appear in the printed version—plus 100 extra pages of editorial content not found in the print edition. Included are extra photos of Beirut, Bon Iver, The Horrors, M83, Slow Club, Summer Camp, and tUnE-yArDs. The digital version features exclusive bonus interviews with Big Black Delta, Future Islands, Hooray for Earth, Lanterns on the Lake, Metronomy, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Real Estate, The War on Drugs, Wild Flag, and Zola Jesus. More

Jan 26, 2012

The War on Drugs have released a music video for their Slave Ambient track “Brothers” and boy is it a nail-biter. More

Jan 11, 2012

Yesterday, following the stream release of their new single B-side “Don’t Fear the Ghost,” Philadelphia’s The War on Drugs made their television debut last night performing the Slave Ambient track “Baby Missiles” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. More

Jan 10, 2012

In two weeks on Jan. 24, Philadelphia quartet The War on Drugs are set to stretch the awarenenss of last year’s stanout album Slave Ambient by releasing “Come to the City” as a single. More

Under the Radar Announces Best of 2011 Issue Featuring Three Covers: Bon Iver, M83, and The Horrors

Plus: Florence and the Machine, Beirut, PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi, SBTRKT, R.E.M., and more

Dec 23, 2011

Under the Radar‘s Best of 2011 Issue has shipped out to subscribers and will be hitting newsstands soon. The issue features three unique covers, each featuring an artist behind one of our Top 5 albums of the year: M83, The Horrors, and Bon Iver. The issue also takes a look back at other artists who have made a splash in 2011, including Beirut, Anna Calvi, EMA, Florence and the Machine, Gang Gang Dance, Neon Indian, PJ Harvey, R.E.M., SBTRKT, Slow Club, St. Vincent, Summer Camp, tUnE-yArDs, and Yuck. More

The War On Drugs Extend Tour

Philly Act Announce New Dates for 2012, Including Jimmy Fallon Appearance

Dec 08, 2011

Philadelphia’s The War On Drugs have extended their seemingly endless tour in support of Slave Ambient, including their late night debut on Jimmy Fallon. We have the details. More

New Dates Added to The War On Drugs Tour

December Added to North American Tour

Sep 28, 2011

In support of their boss-gaze heavy new album Slave Ambient, The War On Drugs have just added December to their North American tour More

Listen: “Snake Tongues” by The War on Drugs

Call it the Return of Boss-gaze

Sep 02, 2011

Boss-gaze rides again? We certainly hope so. Today, The War on Drugs dropped a new track called “Snake Tongues” from the forthcoming cassette version of Slave Ambient. We have the track. More

Watch: The War on Drugs “Come to the City” Video

Also Stream Forthcoming New Album, Slave Ambient

Aug 02, 2011

The War on Drugs have released a video for single “Come to the City,” which taken from their forthcoming sophomore album, Slave Ambient, due out August 16 via Secretly Canadian. More

Under the Radar Announces Summer Issue and St. Vincent Cover

Issue Also Features Stephen Malkmus vs. Gus Van Sant, M83, The Horrors, Washed Out, Bon Iver vs. Fugazi, WU LYF, Dum Dum Girls, and much more

Jul 28, 2011

Under the Radar’s Summer 2011 Issue has just hit stands. It features St. Vincent on the cover and includes articles on M83, Bon Iver vs. Fugazi, The Horrors, Washed Out, Stephen Malkmus vs. Gus Van Sant, WU LYF, Dum Dum Girls, Friendly Fires, Memory Tapes, John Maus, Niki & The Dove, Purity Ring, Youth Lagoon, and many others; as well as over 115 reviews. The digital version of the magazine also includes 50 extra pages of bonus content, including articles on My Morning Jacket, The Rapture, Eleanor Friedberger, Handsome Furs, Moonface, Stephin Merritt, Laurel Halo, and more. More

The War on Drugs Add More Tour Dates and Announce Cassette Release with New Tracks

Slave Ambient Due August 16, Cassette Version Includes Six Exclusive B-sides

Jul 27, 2011

The War on Drugs will be releasing their sophomore effort, Slave Ambient, August 16 via Secretly Canadian. Check out the new tour dates. More

Watch: The War on Drugs “Baby Missiles”

Slave Ambient Out August 16

Jul 07, 2011

Ahead of their forthcoming full-length Slave Ambient (out August 16 via Secretly Canadian), The War on Drugs dropped this lo-fi video for album track, “Baby Missiles.” More

The War on Drugs Hits the Road This August

Taking the Act International

Jun 02, 2011

In support of their sophomore album Slave Ambient (out August 16 via Secretly Canadian), The War on Drugs is set to battle their way through an international tour. More



Interviews

May 17, 2022

In the spring of 2018, The War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel was experiencing one of those rare moments when a person’s professional and personal lives both reach their pinnacle. Having completed a grueling tour with 2017’s A Deeper Understanding, the band’s fourth release that would win a Grammy for Best Rock Album and sell over 200,000 copies, he had somehow cracked the code of making classic rock cool for indie kids. More

Aug 24, 2017

When The War on DrugsLost in the Dream became arguably the most widely-acclaimed album of 2014, it was easy to be happy for Adam Granduciel. Here was a true indie rock lifer, a guy who had bounced around the margins of the indie scene for over a decade with limited success, and he had created the rare album that cut through our fragmented musical culture to become a genuine cultural moment. More

Aug 23, 2017

It’s a story that has now become inseparable from the music: The War on DrugsLost in the Dream was the account of Adam Granduciel sinking into depression and despair, struggling with the realization that the high of playing music every night with his friends had faded into the loneliness of everyday life. More

2014 Artist Survey: The War on Drugs and Nightlands

Dave Hartley on 2014's Best Albums, Michael Brown, U2 Giving Away Their Album, and "Bread Eyes"

Feb 17, 2015

For Under the Radar’s 12th annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to 2014. Here are some answers from Dave Hartley of both The War on Drugs and Nightlands. More

Dec 12, 2014

Even if Lost in the Dream hadn’t become The War on Drugs’ breakthrough album, the story of its creation could have become the stuff of legend. The album was born of six months of isolated songwriting sessions in Adam Granduciel’s Philadelphia home while the songwriter endured a nervous breakdown of sorts. He often retreated to his bedroom with paralyzing panic attacks. He obsessively and meticulously constructed the album layer by layer in the studio, keenly aware that almost any choice—a certain guitar texture here or a drum pattern there—could push the album in a completely different direction. Just what kind of album was he making? He didn’t know. Would anyone care? It was impossible to say. More

The War on Drugs vs. Sharon Van Etten

The Road from Here to There

Sep 16, 2014

It’s hard not to be a third wheel when listening in on a conversation between Sharon Van Etten and The War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel. Having met while Van Etten was recording 2010’s Epic in a Philadelphia studio near Granduciel’s house, the two songwriters share not only a friendship and a mutual admiration of each other’s work, but also a set of memories collected while touring together in 2012. More

Dec 13, 2010

For Under the Radar’s 8th annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to 2010. Pick up a copy of Under the Radar’s Year End issue for interviews with: The Antlers, Bon Iver, Caribou,Club 8, Delphic, Rose Elinor Dougall, Gayngs, Hot Chip, Lost in the Trees, Love is All, The Love Language, Mogwai, of Montreal, Okkervil River, Yoko Ono, Owen Pallett, Plants and Animals, Mark Ronson, Superchunk, Tame Impala, Vampire Weekend, Sharon Van Etten, and Vivian Girls. Here’s a survey from David Hartley of Nightlands & The War on Drugs. More


Reviews

Jul 02, 2023

The War On Drugs played the final date of their European tour in Dublin last Tuesday and Under the Radar were there to witness it. More

Jun 02, 2022

Charlottesville, VA gets a decent amount of worthy shows (My Morning Jacket, Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine, Indigo De Souza, and The Flaming Lips are among the city’s upcoming concerts). More

Nov 01, 2021

To experience the past as a present reality is a core human reality. We hold on to someone long gone, feel the pain of lost time in our chest, bask in the euphoria of the good days. But getting lost in the dreams of yesterday is a dangerous game. More

Mar 14, 2014

The third full-length recording by Adam Granduciel and company picks up where 2011’s Slave Ambient left off, finding a remarkably confident band capable of grand anthems without losing the subtler touches that separate them from lesser bands. More

Aug 13, 2012

Øya, day four. The best way to avoid jet lag is to never sleep—but by this point I was experiencing a new sensation: festival lag. On the way to the day’s events, I passed a man in the hotel lobby, sleeping soundly in a small nest of beanbag chairs. He is my spirit animal. More

Aug 12, 2011

Boss-gaze. That’s where we’re at in mid-2011, adrift in the post-irony, post-industry music industry, its genre barriers and business models laying by the wayside like broken levies. Philadelphia’s The War on Drugs wear some clear influences on their sleeves, raking the anthems and everyman balladry of Bruce Springsteen over a bed of shoegaze and dream pop stylistics. More

Sep 03, 2010

A sold-out audience packed the floor of Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory on Monday night to catch Black Mountain in support of their new album, Wilderness Heart, out September 14th. Almost two years have passed since the Vancouver band played New York—a long time for a group that was hitting the city three times a year before that. More