The Kooks - Junk Of The Heart

There’s always room for smooth, calm musical releases amidst a culture that celebrates eclectic experimentation in music and louder than life tracks. Who doesn’t like to kick back with some nice acoustic tracks after a hard day once in a while? The Kooks’ latest studio album ‘Junk Of The Heart’ is certainly one that provides that essential calm vibe; perhaps a little too well.

Looking for an album that provokes the urge to move? Looking for that album that you can sing carelessly at the top of your lungs to? Turn back now. Looking to make your own movie sound track to a soppy, romantic film? Well, you might be in luck. With the album playing gently in the background, it’s hard to not picture a couple running through some summer fields in a clichéd fashion.

The louder moments – courtesy of tracks such as ‘Rosie’ – seem almost forced amidst a dull and repetitive verse. Bringing in further instruments temporarily almost accentuates the lack of anything special in the other segments. ‘Taking Pictures Of You’ - a typical acoustic track - is actually a welcome relief since it’s just a normal acoustic track, yet the cliché of the romantic cornfields is undeniable. “Do you remember me taking pictures of you as the light came through? You were running away and you asked me for a place to stay?”

‘Time Above The Earth’ cracks out the violins. Is this the proposal of the movie? Is it the romantic duo’s inevitable break up? Once the idea of a soundtrack enters your head, it’s hard to shake it as you listen. Repetition is difficult to step away from when looking critically at the album. The drum beats are frankly frustrating once you notice they’re almost on a constant loop.

The album has its limited perks: occasionally good acoustic flaunts or a little chorus here or there that you enjoyed, but in actuality ‘Junk Of The Heart’ is very forgettable. If an album has the ability to be played on repeat a few times yet not have one song remembered, there’s a fundamental flaw. There’s no grab, there’s no wow factor and – relaxing as it could be – it is completely and utterly bland. The most enjoyment that comes from the record is being given the opportunity to play movie director for a little while.