Two months ago, British rockers The Kooks returned to the music scene with their third full length, Junk of the Heart. Since then, they’ve toured extensively in support of love-soaked record, their first in over three years. Tonight and tomorrow, fans can catch the Kooks at two sold out shows at Webster Hall, where hearts will no doubt be worn on sleeves. We recently caught up with frontman Luke Pritchard, who was bussing around Europe at the time, and couldn’t wait for his New York gigs. “I’m just getting drunkenly ready for it right now,” he said, while sipping a hot toddy.  What a coincidence—so are we!

Laura Marling, A Creature I Don’t Know (Ribbon) After being showered with praise from The New York Times and Spin for her debut and sophomore albums, each of which was nominated for a Mercury Prize, expectations couldn’t be higher for Laura Marling’s latest elease, A Creature I Don’t Know. Fortunately for the 21-year-old British singer-songwriter—who already snagged the Best Female Solo Artist prize at the 2011 Brit Awards—the record is a triumph. Building on the strength of her previous two efforts, Creature boasts a folksy, wistful feel, but it’s her voice—at times light and subtle, at others bold and deep—that makes her music so unforgettable. —Sharon Wu

Ask any New Yorker sweating on the streets about summer in the city and you’ll somehow hear a cheerful and flowery oratory. Despite the gritty heat, the miles walked upon blistering blacktops, and the strange smells emanating from subway grates (and people), certain seasonal afternoons and city perquisites tend to provide prescribed amnesia to such unfavorable conditions. Certain seasonal afternoons like the one I experienced yesterday involving the Kooks, a rooftop full of friendly folks in Flatiron, and a reservoir of cold beer, proved to be the exact prescription I needed. Cheerful and flowery oratory to follow:

It takes either serious swagger or buckets of talent to riff your album's name off of the Kinks, without being laughed out of the room. Luckily for the Kooks, it’s the latter. The British pop band's latest album, Konk, was named after the studio in which it was recorded, which just happens to be where the Kinks originally laid down tracks. Thus, we went to Terminal 5 last night with high expectations. And the Kooks, suprisingly, having just come from a private rooftop performance at the EMI Building, exceeded them by providing an altogether electric performance. Lead singer and guitarist, Luke Pritchard, commanded the stage with a humble elegance, as though unaware of the several indie-beauties gawking at his altar. Take a look after the jump.

Recording in the Kinks’ old studio, the Kooks conquer with 'Konk.'