The group takes the music video back to its organic roots. Check out their latest work here.
Back in the 1960s, London’s underground clubs sported a string of rock and R&B bands with one purpose in mind: to get your rump shaking. The Kooks channel this mod-inspired era with a twist of James Brown-like funk in their new video for “Down.”
These Brighton lads mimic the feel of a retro pop group circa 1968, but still seem planted firmly in the modern era. Long, soul-baring guitar solos sandwiched between a bridge and a chorus are a throwback to a time when it was impossible to turn on the radio without hearing a real guitar. Today, this is more or less optional.
The Kook’s “Down” manages to take a vintage tone and update it for newer ears. It’s not trying hard to be retro, but the influence is still undeniably there.
The video starts with two fans professing their love of The Kooks in what looks like a dingy brick basement of a music venue. The music video concept is simple: the band plays, the audience watches and we’re taken along for the ride, caught right in the middle of the crowd.
While most videos hook audiences with an artsy concept or really good looking people wearing cool clothes, “Down” is what it is. It’s a pop rock band in its natural habitat, surrounded by adoring fans. Despite its simplicity, it’s still a polished piece of film work. What looks like a grungy brick building becomes an arena-quality light show on stage. Singer Luke Pritchard might be wearing a just sweaty t-shirt and jeans, but he commands the stage like any of the glittery arena rock showmen.
The song is percussive, even if you take the drums out of the equation. Pritchard’s staccato vocals bounce between uttering “down down” followed by unintelligible grunts. He doesn’t need to say much in the chorus to drive the song. These short, punchy lines give the song a danceable quality that’s obvious from the way the audience shakes it.
Funky guitar licks are the soul of this track. Not only does Pritchard hum along to guitarist Hugh Harris’ noisy tones, the two spend nearly two minutes of the song in an epic guitar solo. Listeners are lucky to get a 30 second guitar solo these days, so one that takes up more than a quarter of a song is practically unheard of.
That’s not to say this is a guitar-driven rock song. “Down” is pop in its purest form, and its entire purpose is to get you on your feet.
The Kooks recently released a new record Listen, going on tour to support the new effort this year.
You can watch their new video for “Down” right here:
Or you can check out the original music video for the track below:
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