Music > Album Reviews
The Kooks – Echo in the Dark
22/06/22
This is The Kooks 6th studio album and it’s an absolute belter. If I am to be judging them on their recent appearance at the Neck of The Woods festival in Norwich and the quality of this latest recording, then they are well and truly back in the game with a BANG!
It was recorded in Berlin and was born out of a period of deep inspiration and creativity from an intense period of work with very little partying and this is the direct result of their work. Front man Luke Pritchard said, “It was more dive bars and a bottle of whiskey than Berghain (Berlin’s well renowned techno nightclub).”
The bulk of the record was written with German songwriter, producer, and film composer Tobias Kuhn. Out of their first writing session, Connection was born in a very short period of time, however after promptly writing the first five songs, Covid gripped the planet and swiftly put a stop to proceedings. Pritchard soon returned home, finishing the sessions over Zoom until they could resume with the other band members to complete the recordings accompanied by Kuhn.
It’s Connection that kicks off proceedings, a song that’s been a regular on their recent live set lists and it’s a great track that would fit seamlessly on any of their previous albums. This is swiftly followed by the longest track on the album, the excellent Cold Heart that helps to maintain the upbeat positive nature and early tempo of Echo in the Dark, it’s a lovely song that concludes with a choir of children singing in the background, its thoroughly charming.
Closer keeps the album right on track and lifts the spirit with a pounding piano driving away in the background, it’s a rousing anthem in the making, that will no doubt become a firm live favourite with their adoring fanbase.
Beautiful World is the result of recording with German band, Milky Chance and I am sure that it will help The Kooks to draw in some more fans from further afield in Europe, which is all part of their master plan as the front man was quoted as saying recently, “I just wanted to make a bit of a statement by creating a European record”.
Pritchard (with his troubles clearly behind him and now well and truly settled into family life) along with his band mates are in great form. Without Doubt is sounding very reflective about his relationship, love, and life as he croons, “without a doubt you’re the best thing in my life, without a doubt you’re the only thing keeping me right”.
They have brought us a cracking new album. The connection has been well and truly re-established. Its positive, optimistic, and upbeat and fills your head and heart with nothing but pure joy. Mission accomplished.
Echo in the Dark is released on the 22nd of July 2022.
8 / 10