With ‘Never/Know,’ Luke Pritchard revisits the essence of The Kooks’ sound – fusing analog warmth, emotional clarity, and spontaneous soul while reflecting on fatherhood, personal loss, and a longing to reconnect with the spirit that started the band's journey two decades ago.
Stream: “Compass Will Fracture” – The Kooks
Few bands have achieved the balance of reinvention and honoring their origins quite like The Kooks. Now, with seven albums to their name, frontman Luke Pritchard finds himself at a new crossroads as an artist and a father. With their upcoming album, Never/Know, slated for release on May 9 (via Virgin Music Group), Pritchard discusses his process in creating the record and how this new phase of life has transformed his relationship with music.
Never/Know – The Kooks
The album embodies growth and introspection, merging the band’s foundational influences with a revived creative spark. “I wasn’t concerned with being current or relevant,” Pritchard clarifies. “I was focused on beauty – on crafting something warm and perhaps a little restorative.” This instinctive approach brought him back to the foundation of his songwriting. “I had all these rough ideas, and I reached out to the guys and said, ‘I don’t want to be controlling, but I’d like to take lead on this. I want to steer it and bring out the best in all of us. What do you think?’”
The outcome is an album that blends a timeless touch with personal depth, capturing the band’s natural chemistry infused with profound emotional resonance. Pritchard candidly discusses the tension between nostalgia and reinvention, as well as the unexpected beauty that comes with letting go in the studio. “Becoming a father brought me a new clarity,” he reflects. “Not only regarding the lyrics but the overall sound. I aimed for warmth and introspection.”
From a sonic perspective, Never/Know embraces rich analog textures and a intentionally unrefined sound, drawing from classic rock and soul influences while remaining grounded in the present. The album shifts away from the band’s recent ventures into synth-driven production, opting for a more organic, tactile feel. Pritchard, who produced nearly all the tracks, nurtured an environment that promoted intuition and freedom. “We acquired some vintage amps, and everyone just plugged in and played,” he reminisces. “I kind of deceived them – told them we were merely rehearsing. It made the experience enjoyable.”
One standout track, “Arrow Through Me,” embodies that spontaneous essence. “It has a wonderful soul vibe,” Pritchard shares with a smile. “It reminded me of those classic soul records yet carried a Beach Boys influence too. It’s playful and came together so effortlessly.” This relaxed, soulful feeling is particularly evident in songs like “Sunny Baby,” where ethereal harmonies and warm tones show a softer side of the band. “That one’s my son’s favorite,” Pritchard reveals. “Creating this album while he was three really stirred up a lot within me. It rekindled memories of my father, whom I lost young. This emotional current makes its way into the songs.”
While Never/Know reflects the dreamy quality of The Kooks’ earlier work, its bold sonic choices and analog warmth signify a confident new beginning. As Pritchard describes it, “This album is truly about reconnecting – with the music, my past, and what truly matters.”
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:: stream/purchase Never/Know here ::
:: connect with The Kooks here ::
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A CONVERSATION WITH THE KOOKS
Atwood Magazine: Congratulations on the stunning new album and this thrilling chapter of your life. It’s quite remarkable. I don’t have kids yet, but seeing the shift in perspective with my niece has piqued my curiosity – what surprised you most about being a dad while self-producing such a significant project? How did this differ from your previous album approaches?
Luke Pritchard: It’s a bit amusing. The idea that people are excited about our seventh album is simply wonderful. It’s surreal to be invited onto podcasts and such – it’s fantastic. What made this album distinct is that I had a sort of epiphany on stage. We have explored various musical directions, and while performing our old song “Ooh La,” I had a moment of realization. I noticed everyone still connecting with that song, and it made me wonder why. I realized it had been ages since I solely wrote a batch of songs on my own, like in the beginning. Back then, in my family home’s bedroom, my rule was – if I remembered the song in the morning, it was good.
I work with numerous producers, which is the modern approach – highly collaborative. I told my wife, “I’ll be around, spending time with the kids,
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With ‘Never/Know,’ Luke Pritchard revisits the core of The Kooks’ sound, merging genuine analog warmth, emotional honesty, and soulful spontaneity. He draws upon themes of fatherhood, personal loss, and a longing to reconnect with the essence that initiated the band’s journey two decades ago.