Anyone who doesn’t at least give this album a listen is a complete kook. A surprising sound but still memorable, the Kooks new album, “Listen” explores a unique dimension of British pop-rock. It’s always risky to try something new in the world of music, but the Kooks make it work.

At first, I wasn’t too impressed by the new edge the band was attempting to execute. However, after examining the album as a whole, one can be assured that the Kooks are still their classic, upbeat selves. “Listen” is an album one should hear completely before making any judgment. The band has simply taken on a new sonic challenge, but manages to preserve their old-school style that people love.

The Kooks first met as students at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music in 2002. The young Brits produced their debut album, “Inside In/Inside Out” by 2005. Ever since then, lead singer Luke Pritchard, along with guitarist Hugh Harris, bassist Peter Denton, and drummer Alex Nunez, have created 3 more albums, including their newest hit which came out September 2^nd.

The band is known for their British indie-pop sound. Among their influences are The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan, although their tone leans more towards a Fratellis’/Artic Monkeys feel. The Kooks have polished their style throughout the years, but remain a go-to for anybody needing an energetic mood-booster to pump them up.

One aspect that makes “Listen” different is its wide use of percussion and cross rhythms the Kook’s previous material never fully utilized. It’s just one way the band is attempting to adapt to modern music and the new layering that many artists today are incorporating into their style. One song that especially displays the band’s use of layering and technicalities is rightfully named, “Are We Electric”. The sounds are distracting at first and take a bit away from the Kooks’ old manner, but once all the other songs play through the band’s classic sound emerges once again.

Another characteristic that is surprising at first is the extent Pritchard exaggerates his voice. He understands the unique vocals he possesses, but takes them a bit too far in some of the songs, including “Down” and “Murderer”. However, one can easily look past this small complication and appreciate that Pritchard’s vocals are a main reason the Kook’s were noticed in the first place.

A main highlight of “Listen” is the apparent maturity of the band. The album explores numerous different tastes in music instead of sticking to the same jangly guitars the Kooks use to repeat throughout a whole track. “Listen” weaves in British rock punk in the song, “Around Town,” and a bit of R&B inside “Down”. The piano ballad, “See Me Now,” addressed to Pritchard’s late father, even explores a sentimental side of the singer that was not fully exposed in previous work.

Overall, “Listen” is the perfect example of how a group can develop without losing their fans. The Kooks are able to exhibit a whole new side of their band, a mix of keeping with modern sound but still sticking to what made them famous in the first place. This sonic risk is one that paid off, a very rare sight in music nowadays. The Kooks’ new album “Listen” is begging for attention; it is available on iTunes for $11.99 or can be bought at any Best Buy for $17.99.