ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Kooks might not have set out to define a moment in British indie rock, but that’s exactly what they did.

When the British rockers released their debut album “Inside In/Inside Out” in 2006, the U.K. was full of guitar bands making catchy, fast-paced indie rock. Arctic Monkeys were just breaking through, Franz Ferdinand was dominating with their dancey sound, and Bloc Party had burst onto the scene with a sharp, post-punk edge. But the Kooks stood out with a warmer, more melodic style. Songs like “Naïve” and “She Moves in Her Own Way” weren’t just instant hits—they’ve quietly become staples of that era.

“It happened very early for us, having that kind of success,” frontman Luke Pritchard shared during a recent call. “But that often happens in music. A song like ‘Naive,’ especially in the U.K. and Europe, — has just become a bit of a standard, almost. It’s bizarre. For a while, we were kind of running away from it, but now we feel very comfortable with that.”

Eighteen years later, the Kooks aren’t just holding onto their legacy — they’re evolving it.

Talking with Pritchard, the conversation ranged from meditation and fatherhood to TikTok and tour life. Speaking from a busy press stop in Los Angeles, he was clear-eyed about where he stands as both a musician and a man.

“I’m in a more wholesome stage of my life,” he shared, reflecting on the making of their upcoming record “Never/Know,” now out as of May 9 via Virgin Music Group. “This album’s a love letter to the past — but it’s also about now, about balance.”

The new single “Sunny Baby” captures that feeling perfectly. Dreamy, nostalgic, and deeply personal, it’s an ode to Pritchard’s family and a reflection on his late father, blending lush harmonies and soulful warmth.

“I was just so happy when I wrote it — well, maybe not happy, but fulfilled. It was a song I had been trying to write for a long time, and I finally found that simplicity I’d been looking for,” Pritchard shares. “It’s really about my whole family. The story is probably pretty relatable — my wife and I, like a lot of couples, had a pretty tumultuous start. A lot of people didn’t think we’d make it. But it’s about the journey, you know? It’s a love letter. I even put my son in there — his nickname is Chestnut. So yeah, now we have our little Chestnut. I’m a bit of a softie, really.”

Much of “Never/Know” was self-produced by Pritchard, who initially envisioned it as a solo project before looping in longtime guitarist Hugh Harris and the rest of the band. “I was nervous about sharing it with the guys,” he admitted, “but it turned out to be a really natural return to our roots. We made a rock and roll album with soul influences. We didn’t overdo it — we kept it open, simple.”

Despite their personal evolution, the Kooks haven’t strayed far from the sound that defined their rise in the mid-2000s—an era where indie rock exploded from the basements of London and Manchester onto international festival stages. That explosion of British indie bands offered a soundtrack to a generation, and the Kooks brought something lighter, sunnier, and more melodic to the table. Their music was less angst, more heart — and it stuck.

And now, it’s sticking again.

Thanks to social media, particularly TikTok, the Kooks have seen a massive resurgence among Gen Z. “It’s surreal,” Pritchard said, noting that his debut album — recorded when he was just 18 — is finding new ears. “The whole thing’s been democratized. Kids are discovering us the same way they discover brand new artists. That’s exciting.”

The band is back on the road for their “All Over The World” tour, a 16-date run across North America that kicked off in late May with support from lovelytheband.

Touring in 2025, though, is a different beast from the chaotic early days. “It’s calmer now. We’re about food, good coffee, and soaking it all in,” Pritchard laughed. “Back then, we were running wild. Now, we’re just grateful.”

When asked what he might tell his younger self, just before the whirlwind of “Inside In/Inside Out” began, Pritchard chuckled. “Keep fit. Take your vitamins. But still have fun.”

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