Saint Etienne’s twelfth studio album, The Night, is a welcome change of pace, swapping dancefloor anthems for something a tad more reflective. Put together with producer Augustin Bousfield, it’s a gentle meander through the stillness of the small hours.
From the opening track, ‘Settle In’, you’re eased into a space where the day’s chaos is replaced with soft voices and ambient hums. It’s like stepping into a warm room after walking through a downpour – comforting and unhurried. The lead single, ‘Half Light’, stands out, its melodies shimmering like the last sunlight through the trees. Pete Wiggs says it’s about that magical time just as day turns to night, and it nails that feeling perfectly.
‘Preflyte’ is one for the romantics. Sarah Cracknell’s voice is as bittersweet as ever, singing of letting go while the instrumentation pulls at your heartstrings. It’s all beautifully understated, with none of the bombast you might expect from the band’s earlier days. Meanwhile, tracks like ‘No Rush’ combine birdsong and subtle orchestration to create an atmosphere that’s wonderfully serene.
Production-wise, the album is stripped back and restrained. Instead of big beats or dramatic hooks, you’ve got rain sounds, distant conversations, and instruments drifting in and out like half-remembered dreams. The harpsichord on ‘Northern Countries East’ adds a quirky touch, giving the album just enough texture to keep it interesting without breaking the mood.
Not everyone’s on board with Saint Etienne’s shift towards ambient vibes, and it’s definitely a far cry from their indie-dance roots, but for listeners willing to go with the flow, there’s a lot to love here.
In the end, The Night is a soundtrack for unwinding. It’s the kind of thing you’d put on late at night when the world has finally quieted down. Saint Etienne might not be trying to get you dancing anymore, but they’re still masters of creating a mood.
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- Album Review
- Augustin Bousfield
- Bob Stanley
- Heavenly Recordings
- Pete Wiggs
- Saint Etienne
- Sarah Cracknell
- The Night
