Listen
by The Kooks
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Sep 2, 2014
    80
    The Kooks have come out fighting though, completely re-evaluating and overhauling their sound and the result is an exuberant fourth album bristling with character.
  2. Q Magazine
    Aug 29, 2014
    80
    This is a very good album. The Kooks sound like a band rejuvenated. [Oct 2014, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 29, 2014
    80
    The band have managed to pull it off again, with an engaging collection that refuses to be hidebound by the strictures of indie-rock.
  5. musicOMH.com
    Sep 2, 2014
    70
    New drummer Alexis Nunez adds a percussive edge, but much credit must go to hip-hop co-producer Inflo for this fresh lease of life.
  6. AllMusic
    Aug 29, 2014
    70
    Especially after the staid Junk, the deliberate liveliness of Listen is indeed welcome, and sometimes, the results come close to infectious.
  7. The Guardian
    Aug 29, 2014
    60
    It's a fun listen, with shades of Ram-era Paul McCartney, the Stones and Shuggie Otis, full of eccentric funk and boogie captured on vintage instruments.
  8. No Ripcord
    Sep 8, 2014
    50
    Listen is set to force you into either accepting the band’s new identity or hitting upon the realisation that the band you originally fell in love with have moved on.
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 8, 2014
    50
    Rather than evolution, Listen offers questionable overindulgence in funk, soul and chopped beats.
  10. Uncut
    Aug 29, 2014
    50
    Guitarist Hugh Harris can still finesse a scintillating riff, but derivative would-be hipster anthems with hip-hop bolt-on "Around Town" and "It Was London" suggest a band aware that their time has come, and gone. [Oct 2014, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Mojo
    Sep 12, 2014
    40
    Listen throws a helluva lot at the wall, and not much sticks. [Oct 2014, p.89]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 2, 2014
    40
    The album's sole affecting track is the simplest--See Me Now.... Elsewhere, though, Listen exudes desperation, its shortcomings underlined by It Was London, a graceless stab at social commentary.
  13. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 3, 2014
    20
    Nothing, not even their own past as a middling indie-pop crossover act, is sacred, and it’s sad to see The Kooks attempt to conjure past glories and fall flat.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 44
  3. Negative: 14 out of 44
  1. Guzaman
    Sep 3, 2014
    10
    New sound, new oportunities. brilliant job from Peter Denton, and the rythms from Alexis Nuñez feel fresh and makes everybody to dance. AlsoNew sound, new oportunities. brilliant job from Peter Denton, and the rythms from Alexis Nuñez feel fresh and makes everybody to dance. Also Luke and Hugh, like always, done a great job. We shall thank Inflo to move them to this unexplored space for them.… Full Review »
  2. exodus9237
    Sep 9, 2014
    2
    There was a time when I liked The Kooks. I was 15 years old and their first two albums were fun and enjoyable to me, Inside In/Inside Out isThere was a time when I liked The Kooks. I was 15 years old and their first two albums were fun and enjoyable to me, Inside In/Inside Out is great with a variety of alternative songs, and seriously who doesn't like Naive? Even Konk had songs that, in fact, I still listen sometimes. Junk of the Heart alienated me and I hoped that the next one would be better, regretably Listen, is not. I suppose that Luke and company like what they are doing because they seem to have fun, but I felt it was all too distant, the songs don't provoke anymore. If The Kooks are having fun, well, they don't know how to make the listener have fun.… Full Review »
  3. benrankel
    Sep 8, 2014
    10
    Fresh and familiar at the same time.

    This is The Kooks at their very best. They aren't afraid to play with punchy new sounds and influences    Fresh and familiar at the same time.

    This is The Kooks at their very best. They aren't afraid to play with punchy new sounds and influences and it comes out shinning. Bad Habit alone is worth the price of admission -- thankfully its bolstered by instant favorites like Around Town, Forgive & Forget and Down.

    The Kooks have moved beyond the sound that made them a permanent fixture on my playlist with Inside In/Inside Out. Here they try some new stuff and let new influences permeate there music. It really works.

    If you're a fan of bands that evolve, this is worth picking up.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »