Any band of ruffian upstarts that has the gall to brandish song titles like ‘Jackie Big Tits’ and ‘Sofa Song’ is obviously reveling in that wonderful adolescent haze so worshipped from Neanderthal days of punk rock’n'roll. But this hirsute Brighton-based quartet has plenty of meat to back up it meat-headed song titles. Having already conquered the UK top 20 with ‘You Don’t Love Me’ (included here), The Kooks display a fresh scrubbed appeal that fulminates with ferociousness, tunefulness, and rhythmic playfulness. ‘Naive’ shambles over thrash funk grooves and Luke Pritchard’s midnight howl, sounding like a ’70s throwback without the nostalgic baggage. ‘Be Mine’ is even more retro and bombastic, an uptempo club raver that shoots pub rock sparks. Early UK hit ‘Eddie’s Gun’ is pure new wave, and affected Scouse accent propelling its pimples and spunk theme. The Kooks tumble and quake, Hugh Harris’s ragged guitars barely containing the band’s mighty sing-along, feel-good hooks. Magnificent.

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