The Kooks: always what you want them to be

Since the 2006 release of 'Inside In/Inside Out'; an (unfortunate) benchmark of modern popular indie, it is undeniable that the world has been waiting with baited breath for a follow up from The Kooks. When rumour has it that one of their most successful hits to date: Naive, was in fact written by a barely sixteen year old Luke Pritchard, it doesn't expel much positive expectation regarding to the future of their music. The second track; Always Where I Need To Be (single feature), from forthcoming album Konk, further adds to this worry of a flaw-filled second full length. This tragically dissapointing single sounds like a verbatim copy of The Pigeon Detectives at its best, and Mcfly at its worst.

Konk as an album on the whole however is a much more valiant and respectable grouping of songs. While on initial impressions there isn't the magic that was instantly captured on their first LP, The Kooks have managed to create a handful of great pop songs, which is what they seem to be good at. In its heavier parts (in direct reference to the coda of 'Do You Wanna') The Kooks are straying away from the natural, chirpy and clean guitar sound they have perfected in exchange for a dirtier and heavier sound that just falls flat straight away.

Just like their first full length, The Kooks have created for what many will consider to be the perfect companionship for the summer; nothing daringly eclectic, but nice acoustic led sing along songs that seem to somehow personify the feeling of lounging on a beach with friends. Whether it'll be your summer soundtrack is dependant upon whether you were a Kooks fan beforehand as there is nothing on this album that will change opinions either for or against them, they still are a brilliant pop group and as long as you don't try to make them more than that then they won't disappoint.

The Kooks - See The Sun
The Kooks - Love It All
The Kooks - Mr. Maker