Kooks new LP 'outside their strengths'

The Kooks have revealed that they have shied away from their strengths for their new album.

The band, who are currently working on their follow-up to 2008's chart-topping Konk, said that they have learnt new instruments in a bid to develop their sound.

Frontman Luke Pritchard told the Daily Star: "We played to our strengths with the other albums and now we’re looking outside our strengths. We are trying to experiment with different things.

"It’s like The Velvet Underground, very vibey, stuff that isn’t very polished."

Guitarist Hugh Harris added: "I’ve actually learnt the viola for the album. Some bands hire a hot young composer but we thought it would be better if it came from us rather than other people."

It was recently reported that the group wanted to make a "f**king happy record" to play at festivals.