The Kooks return with their third album after 2008’s Konk and 2006’s classic debut Inside in Inside Out.

Junk of the Heart was produced by Tony Haffer, who has worked with Beck, Air and Belle & Sebastian. The album was recorded at The LA Sound Factory and London’s Sarm Studios. The band has had a few personnel changes since their last record, but still retain their quirky 60s Brit-pop sound, influenced by The Kinks and Bowie. The Kooks take their name from a wonderful early Bowie track from the classic 1971 Hunky Dory album. Fans of their earlier records will find much to appreciate on this new release. I managed to hear some tracks on YouTube; ‘Happy’, ‘Eskimo Kiss’ and ‘Mr. Nice Guy’ all contain that classic Kooks, cheeky British Kinks and Squeeze sound.

Michael Awosoga-Samuel is from Readings Carlton