After 35 years, 13 studio albums, and a discography which found its identity by leaping between trip hop, synth pop and indie, Saint Etienne call it a day with the release of International, their final studio album.
Exploring that vast collection of sounds the band has divulged in within their music, International is a journey and a celebration of all that has gone before, rounding off a divisive career of understated musical brilliance, refusing to dampen their legacy.
Album opener and lead single ‘Glad,’ proves this with damming evidence, offering a bolshy beat with an energy willing to transport you to their mid-Nineties sounds. Paired with the bounce of guitar licks (provided by Doves’ Jez Williams) and lyrical themes of hopefulness amongst the haze of gloom, it’s the perfect beginning for an end.
‘Dancing Heart’ refuses to waver the energy, introducing the pound and poise of a repeating electronic beat. Perhaps not as strong as that opener but certainly still packs a punch, channelling the band’s dabbles into distinguished dance.
‘The Go Betweens’ enters with the sprawl of synths, conforming to the albums’ ability to not let the idea of finality rid any joy. Featuring vocals from Haircut 100s’ Nick Heyward, it delivers on synth-pop promises. Watch any episode of Top of the Pops in the 80s and this would fit right in.
Our first divulge into different comes from ‘Sweet Melodies,’ which walks away from the major chords of the previous songs. Built with the focus of a repeated bassline, drawn out notes played on shimmering synths and Cracknell’s bordering on haunting vocals, it’s our first subtle reminder of the sheer capacity of the band’s musical abilities to truly shake up their sound.
‘Save It For A Rainy’ reels us back in however as the album glides into groove. Relying solely on electronic beats to move us from start to finish, it’s digital funk at its sharpest.
‘Fade’ is perhaps my favourite of the lot. A reduced tempo absorbs the song whilst sitting well amongst its surroundings of dance. A showcase of trip-hop, it’s a divine marriage of strings, piano and this rolling drum beat which prevents it from becoming a ballad. It’s like a runaway track from Foxbase Alpha or So Tough that has found itself in their modern discography.
‘Brand New Day’ also feels like it could be from the any of the band’s earlier albums. A true homage to the world’s introduction to their sound, it feels monumental. Adding to the brilliance is an unexpected feature from Confidence Man, in what almost feels like passing the baton onto the next generation of bands to evolve the musical sphere Saint Etienne have spent decades establishing themselves within.
“I feel I need to fly now” along with title ‘Take Me To The Pilot’ is the lyrical motif of our next song. Enabling the album to go from strength to strength, it’s perhaps the strongest of those thumping electronic dance numbers. Bursting in with this rugged, 90s Trance façade, it perfectly encapsulates the genre. Going hand in hand, ‘Two Lovers’ matches this energy as bouncing beats greet Cracknell’s soft vocals.
‘Why Are You Calling’ is yet another standout moment. Its instrumentation never once follows the direction you expect it to go. A mismatch of heavenly fluttering synths deceives, growing into an almost industrial grit sound. It just works.
‘He’s Gone’ once again reiterates that classic Saint Etienne dance funk sound as the 90s make a comeback.
Rounding off the album is the ever apt ‘The Last Time,’ and as, expected, it’s bittersweet. With hindsight of it being the closing album’s closing moments, a song which isn’t stereotypical in its devastation brings this sort of numbing melancholy. It’s not in your face and it’s not here to put you down with purpose.
International is the perfect end for such a career. It’s not a collection of songs but a journey through musical highlights with no stops. Never letting the energy fade or become too self-aware, it offers gentle reminders of why many have stuck by them for so many years and will continue to listen to them in the future.
Saint Etienne: International – Out 5 September 2025 (Heavenly Records)
Saint Etienne x Confidence Man – Brand New Me – YouTube
