The Kooks' Sun-Soaked Britpop Masterpiece: "Never/Know"
Songs brimming with cheerful Britpop vibes were swiftly created within a five-day timeframe by The Kooks. - The Britpop band, The Kooks, manage to create a sunny album in a short span of five days.
Get ready to bask in the glow of British indie rock royalty, The Kooks, with their fantabulous seventh album, "Never/Know". This breezy album is a testament to their enduring Britpop charm, despite being almost two decades strong. Luke Pritchard, the band's frontman, chats with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, saying, "We've created a positively psychadelic, sun-drenched record amidst a sea of negativity and bad news—just what we all need!"
So, is "Never/Know" the antidote to our gloomy times? Let's dive in and examine the sonic escapade:
Genre, Number of Songs, Length:
Britpop with a dash of pop, funk, and soul (13 songs, 36:24 minutes)
What it sounds like:
"Never/Know" ain't just a great listen, it's downright engaging. The album boasts a cohesive blend of indie instrumentals, powered by guitars, synths, and thundering drums, all topped off with lyrics that ooze enthusiasm. Pritchard pens every track and, save for one, takes the production helm. The result? A perfectly synchronized, loose, raw, and occasionally mistake-ridden symphony.
The Police, Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones left their sonic footprints on the album, as Pritchard names these iconic artists as the original influencers of The Kooks.
What it's about:
"Never/Know" is a beacon of positivity. The theme behind its creation stems from Pritchard's little marvels—his kids. "They've brought so much joy in my life, and that spirit is evident on the album.” He wrote most of it in just five days, and the vibe is all about love, hope... and a touch of the unknown. The overarching sentiment? Seize the day!
Fun facts:
Every artist's got their quirks, and Pritchard is no exception. He's dabbled in transcendental meditation, seeking inner peace, an energy felt throughout the album. In his own words, "Pilates is the new rock'n'roll."
His idol? Rolling Stones' lightning bolt Mick Jagger (81). Pritchard muses, "He's an evergreen fitness buff, and I don't think anyone's matching his Mickness, if you know what I mean." Balance, he says, is key.
Track to listen to:
"Sunny Baby" is the summer anthem we didn't know we needed. Pritchard's emotive vocals ride a wave of harmonies that simply make you want to grab a cold one, kick back, and soak up some rays. Pritchard says, "It's like a warm hug, and I'm immensely proud of it."
Who it's for:
Got a soft spot for the golden days of Britpop when Blur and Oasis were the radio rulers? "Never/Know" is an enticing journey back to The Kooks' roots. Pritchard declares, "I've returned to the humor I had in our debut album—just the laughs we needed, don't you think?"
The album may not top their debut, "Inside In/Inside Out" (2006), but it still roars with the power of a mighty britpop lion, two decades later.
- The Kooks' latest album, "Never/Know", is a Britpop masterpiece laced with pop, funk, and soul, as evidenced by its 13 songs spanning 36 minutes and 24 seconds.
- The album's sonic landscape is a cohesive blend of indie instrumentals, powered by guitars, synths, and thundering drums, reminiscent of The Police, Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones.
- The album's focus is on positivity, drawing inspiration from frontman Luke Pritchard's children, and is thematically centered around love, hope, and the unknown, with a touch of inner peace, thanks to Pritchard's practice of transcendental meditation.
- In terms of entertainment, "Never/Know" offers a nostalgic journey back to the golden days of Britpop, reminiscent of the dominance of bands like Blur and Oasis, with Pritchard revisiting the humor of their debut album, "Inside In/Inside Out".
