Album review by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
Brighton based band The Kooks (Luke Pritchard and Hugh Harris) have released a new album with 11 songs that successfully reconnects with their indie-rock roots. Never/Know blends lush harmonies, organ melodies, warm guitar, nostalgic 60s, 70s and 80s sounds with introspective tones. Luke Pritchard as the producer has nailed it: with The Kook’s signature anthemic charm intact alongside a refreshing wave of sonic experimentation that has a renewed energy that mixes sunny pop melodies with a rock ‘n’ roll sensibility.
The album opens with sonic noise. Then, a whistle cuts in with a bassline strum before a lovely mid-tempo rock song commences. There is a steady drum beat, that bassline, as synths join in and the distinctive vocals float over the top with the electric guitar. The title track ‘Never/Know’ has commenced and it sets the tone of the album with warm and unusual sounds. The following song is the tender ‘Sunny Baby’ with its warm spring harmonies and nostalgic soundscape.
The first standout song is ‘All Over The World’ with its bassline riff, piano and backing vocals. The funky keys and guitar riff stand out and it’s a good reminder that you don’t need to overstuff songs with layers of sound to make them stand out. The following two songs ‘If They Could Only Know’ and ‘China Town’ both have great cadence on the vocals and 1980’s soft pop-rock flourishes.
The next standout song is the atmospheric and psychedelic acoustic guitar strummed ‘Compass Will Fracture’. It has 1970’s modulated vocals, a big electric guitar solo and female backing vocals. It has an urgency to it, like it was recorded live. It is followed by the energetic groove of ‘Tough At The Top’ with its strong vocals and catchy melodies. Interestingly, there is a cover of Paul McCartney’s Wings’ song ‘Arrow Through Me’. It’s a brave thing for a band to cover a song like this and get it right. But The Kook’s do get it right through the vocal delivery.
The other album highlight is the 60s sonic throw-back ‘Echo Chamber’ that refracts that summer fairground vibe with vibraphone and congas. And, if I shut my eyes, it’s like I can hear shades of The Hollies ‘On A Carousel’ and it reminds me of the sounds of British summer time. Then, lovely synths bring in the next song ‘Let You Go’ with its tuneful guitar and reggae-leaning drums. The album closes with smooth guitar and vocals in ‘Talk About It’.
The whole album ends on a light and relaxed note and tone. The minimalistic production with the light-touch feel has been well-conceived and executed. Never/Know strikes a balance between evolution and authenticity: its retro in places, mellow and dreamy but with a firm underpinning of rock beats and rolling guitar and basslines.
