After a few years out of the spotlight while they were busy writing the follow up to their 2011 album ‘Junk of the Heart’, The Kooks are now back and with a very different sound. What better place to bounce back, than a not-so secret set at Glastonbury? (which I was lucky enough to be at). They certainly gave us a taster for what was to come with their new album, playing a number of new hits which involved a gospel choir joining them for recent single ‘Around Town’, and a much larger variety of instruments than the usual indie set up we are so used to.
Their new album ‘Listen’ is now out and the first single, ‘Down’ is catchy as hell – but also definitely shows more of an R&B influence than we are used to hearing from the indie rockers.
On a whole, I would happily predict that the new approach they have taken with their music after the less successful response to their last album will pay off. It is lively, and with Luke Pritchard’s vocals that most would recognise from anywhere, they are now accompanied by more than guitars and drum beats. Syncronized handclaps and drum beats are a recurring theme, appearing in tracks such as ‘Bad habit’ and appropriately named ‘Sunrise’ is summery and cheery with a lot going on but still just works. A more poppy/electro vibe comes out in ‘Are We Electric’, a track that reminds me more of The Klaxons than The Kooks.recurring theme, appearing in tracks such as ‘Bad habit’ and appropriately named ‘Sunrise’ which has a lot going on but still just works. along with brass and
Forgive & Forget is one of my favourites from the album, the one I’m struggling to get out of my head after a few listens to Luke belting out ‘Yeah, you say you need someone to love you, but it ain’t me’.
They do tone it down for a few songs, with ballad ‘See Me Now’ which is a personal tribute to Luke’s late father, and ‘Sweet Emotion’ where his softer side is shown. And for those looking for something more similar to what we have heard from them before, Dreams is easily the most ‘Kooks-esque’ with simply an acoustic guitar and lyrics which I can picture calling for a nice sing-a-long on their upcoming UK tour.
Stand out songs: Forgive & Forget, Sweet Emotion, Bad Habit
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