First of all, it is a giant jammer that international album by Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs will be internationally. Who now provides us with this pop of fans for fans? From then on, who connects style and cleverness, kitsch and social reportage? The best tracks from Saint Etienne sound as if you watch a Ken-Loach film in a luxury sedan. This does not contradict itself, that’s dialectic.
Recommendations of the editorial team
A first bye-bye formulated the three last year with the album The Night, a longing record that would also have resulted in a very nice end. But the band was more afterwards to celebrate again. Satisfy the “dancing heart”. To sing “Sweet Melodies”. The big melancholy? “Save it for the rainy day”! The sun is coming up again on international.
As it should be for a good party, the guest list is well staffed. At “Glad” Chemical Brother Tom Rowlands provides the beats and plays Jez Williams from the Doves guitar, the result sounds like perfect Britpop minus the entire guitar stuff. Nick Heyward, formerly at Haircut 100, sings with “The Go Between”, producer Erol Alkan gives “Sweet Melodies” Balearic Jazz-Vibes, at “Take Me To The Pilot” Orbital left its mark, co-composer from “Two Lovers” is Vince Clarke. Shortly before the curtain falls, Sarah Cracknell sings “The Last Time”, and at this point it also becomes clear why the album is called internationally: herbaceous synths, deeper Italo popkeyboards, UK-House beats, a jazzy saxophone-the small, big pop world in one song.
This review first appeared in the MusikExpress 09/2025.