# Let's Go Sunshine

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***Let's Go Sunshine*** is the fifth studio album by British rock band [the Kooks](/source/The_Kooks). The follow-up to the 2014 album *[Listen](/source/Listen_(The_Kooks_album))*, it was released on 31 August 2018 through Lonely Cat,[3] making it the band's first album release on an independent label [4][5] The album charted at number 9 on the [UK Albums Chart](/source/UK_Albums_Chart), giving the band their highest charted release for a decade after their second album *[Konk](/source/Konk_(album))*, which reached number one in 2008.[6] It is the third and last studio album recorded with bassist Pete Denton, whose departure from the band was announced on 3 January 2019.[7]

The album contains the five released singles "All the Time", "No Pressure", "Fractured and Dazed", "Four Leaf Clover" and the final single, "Chicken Bone".[4]

## Recording

Luke Pritchard had already begun talking about the Kooks' fifth album in 2017 while promoting the band's greatest hits compilation, *[The Best of... So Far](/source/The_Best_of..._So_Far)*, which contained two new songs that were produced by [Brandon Friesen](/source/Brandon_Friesen) who was also overseeing the recording of their new album along with [Chris Seefried](/source/Chris_Seefried). Consisting of songs written by Pritchard while the other band members spent time with their families, the new album was deemed to be more of a band effort, as opposed to *[Listen](/source/Listen_(The_Kooks_album))*, which was constructed individually.[8]

Initially, the band had started recording for their fifth album in 2015 with the intent of continuing the flow from the previous record *Listen*. Unhappy with the results, they decided to scrap the material in favor of starting over in a new direction.[9]

Pritchard stated that he was on a mission to write the best songs he had ever written before bringing them to the band, citing *[Rubber Soul](/source/Rubber_Soul)*, *[Lola](/source/Lola_Versus_Powerman_and_the_Moneygoround,_Part_One)* and *[Definitely Maybe](/source/Definitely_Maybe)* as inspirations. He had also gone through some heartbreak and fallen in love during the writing process.[1] The band then decided to write more of the music, particularly the lyrics, before entering the studio to record, as opposed to writing on the fly in the studio as with their previous record.[5]

The Kooks resisted suggestions to become more modern-sounding or to choose particular producers.[5] This informed their decision to work with Friesen, who they felt was an outsider like they were.[9]

Originally, Pritchard had wanted to name the album *Weight of the World* after one of its songs, as it represented what the entire album stood for. In the end he opted for *Let's Go Sunshine*, which felt more positive.[10]

## Critical reception

Upon the release of *Let's Go Sunshine* critical reception to the album was mixed. Review aggregate website [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) scored the album 59/100 based on 7 reviews.[11] In [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)'s review, Neil Z. Yeung called it "a mostly tame affair packed with patient groovers and some lush production" although he was slightly critical of the album's sentimentality, feeling that "it gets bogged down by the contemplative exercises, but resuscitated by the festival-sized anthems punctuated throughout".[12] *[Clash](/source/Clash_(magazine))* gave the album a mixed review, writing that "*Let's Go Sunshine* is a solid album, though not groundbreaking" although did compliment the band on trying new things; "whilst it's not The Kooks we know and love, it still mostly remains true to the indie sound whilst being experimental in parts".[13] Another mixed review came from *[Exclaim!](/source/Exclaim!)* reviewer Beth Bowles. She was critical of the band apparently playing it safe; "Let's Go Sunshine scarcely veers into experimental territory, and as a result, the tracks lack unique characteristics" and went on to criticise the album as "boring", stating; "While collectively the songs are happy-go-lucky, giving off a carefree tone, at 15 tracks, *Let's Go Sunshine* gets boring quickly".[14]

## Personnel

- Luke Pritchard – vocals, guitar
- Hugh Harris – guitar, backing vocals
- Peter Denton – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Alexis Nunez – drums, percussion, backing vocals

## Charts

Chart performance for Let's Go Sunshine Chart (2018) Peak position

## Release history

Release history and formats for Let's Go Sunshine Region Date Format Label Ref. Various 31 August 2018 CD, DL, LP Lonely Cat (KOOKS001-P) [15]

## References

1. ["Evening Standard Interview"](https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/music/the-kooks-announce-new-album-let-s-go-sunshine-drops-after-four-year-wait-a3841111.html), *Evening Standard* Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. ["Production Information"](https://genius.com/albums/The-kooks/Let-s-go-sunshine), *Genius*. Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. ["Standard Article"](https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/music/the-kooks-announce-new-album-let-s-go-sunshine-drops-after-four-year-wait-a3841111.html), *Standard*, 16 May 2018. Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. ["Tracklist and length"](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Sunshine-Gatefold-2LP-VINYL/dp/B07D2Y52X6/ref=tmm_vnl_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1536047523&sr=8-1), *Amazon music*. Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. ["Clash Interview"](https://www.clashmusic.com/features/on-returning-the-kooks-interviewed), *Clash Music* Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. ["Mid Week Charts"](http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/eminem-flying-to-a-record-breaking-ninth-uk-number-1-album-with-kamikaze__23789/), *Official Charts* Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. thekooksmusic (2018-01-03). ["As some of you may be aware, Pete is no longer playing with the band..."](https://www.twitter.com/thekooksmusic/status/1080792369207934976?p=v). Twitter. Retrieved 2018-01-03.

1. ["The Kooks take us inside the studio – exclusive pics and interview"](https://www.nme.com/photos/kooks-behind-the-scenes-new-album-photos-2031036#ho2KmItFcyAujEr6.99). *NME*. 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2019-01-03.

1. Goodwyn, Tom (2018-08-31). [""We wanted to be outsiders..." - hmv.com talks to The Kooks"](https://www.hmv.com/music/the-kooks-let-s-go-sunshine-interview). HMV. Retrieved 2019-02-15.

1. Meyer, Jonas (2018-08-31). ["Music Like A Good Friend"](http://www.myp-magazine.com/interview/the-kooks-music-like-a-good-friend/). MYP. Retrieved 2019-02-15.

1. ["Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/music/lets-go-sunshine/the-kooks), *Metacritic* Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. ["Critical Reviews"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/lets-go-sunshine-mw0003178921), *AllMusic* Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. ["Critical Reviews"](https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/the-kooks-lets-go-sunshin), *Clash* Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. ["Critical Reviews"](https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_kooks-lets_go_sunshine), *Exclaim!* Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

1. ["Album Information"](https://www.discogs.com/The-Kooks-Lets-Go-Sunshine/master/1414487), *Discogs*. Retrieved on 4 September 2018.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Let's Go Sunshine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let's_Go_Sunshine) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let's_Go_Sunshine?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.