ECNETNews reports that Saint Etienne has officially announced a new album, titled International, which they declare will be their final release. Set to debut on September 5, the album follows their previous work, The Night, and is led by the single “Glad.” This track was co-written and co-produced with Tom Rowlands of Chemical Brothers and features guitar work from Jez Williams of Doves. The music video for “Glad,” directed by Scrub, is available for viewing.
Vocalist Sarah Cracknell shared insights on the creative process: “We reached out to Tom for any tracks that would fit Saint Etienne. He sent a backing track he’d developed with Jez, and we instantly fell in love with it, leading to a seamless composition of the melody and lyrics for ‘Glad.’”
Pete Wiggs adds, “The song conveys finding joy in life’s simple pleasures, particularly in nature and the outdoors, especially during tough times.”
In addition to Rowlands and Williams, International includes contributions from notable artists like Confidence Man, Erol Alkan, Vince Clarke, Nick Heyward, Paul Hartnoll of Orbital, and Tim Powell from Xenomania.
Formed in London in 1990 by childhood friends Wiggs and Bob Stanley, Saint Etienne quickly made their mark with two singles in their debut year, including their cover of Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart.” The addition of Cracknell brought further success, culminating in their iconic 1991 album, Foxbase Alpha, which established their signature blend of twee indie-pop and contemporary club sounds.
Following a hiatus after 2005’s Tales From Turnpike House, the band returned in 2012 with Words and Music by Saint Etienne, consistently releasing records including Home Counties (2017) and I’ve Been Trying to Tell You (2021).
While the group emphasizes they are not disbanding—remaining close friends after 35 years—they express a desire to conclude their musical journey on a high note.
Tracklist for International:
01 Glad
02 Dancing Heart
03 The Go Betweens [ft. Nick Heyward]
04 Sweet Melodies
05 Save It for a Rainy Day
06 Fade
07 Brand New Me [ft. Confidence Man]
08 Take Me to the Pilot
09 Two Lovers
10 Why Are You Calling
11 He’s Gone
12 The Last Time
