The NIght
So, I just listened to Saint Etienne for the first time, and I’m a little torn. I know they’ve been around since the '90s and have this cult following for their dreamy, genre-blending sound. I went into this album expecting something legendary, but honestly, it didn’t hit the way I thought it would. From what I’ve read, they used to make these perfect pop tracks—catchy, layered, with eurodance energy and rich electronic vibes. This one, though? It feels like a totally different story.
The album is super slow. Like, every single track is almost hypnotically laid-back, but not in a way that draws you in—it just kind of drags. The singer, Sarah Cracknell (I did my research!), has a voice that’s warm and raspy now, which gives the songs this intimate, lullaby-like feel. That could totally work in another context, but here, it doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Maybe longtime fans would call this “mature” or “reflective,” but for me, it just felt... sleepy.
Apparently, their last album, I’ve Been Trying to Tell You, was mostly instrumental and super atmospheric. Fans seemed to love it for its moodiness and introspection. This new one leans in that direction too, but with more vocals, and I was hoping for a little more energy or variety. The production is gorgeous—I’ll give them that. You can tell these guys know how to build lush, textured soundscapes. But I kept waiting for something to kick in, and it just never happened.
I also learned that one of their most iconic albums is Tiger Bay, which mixed folk influences with electronic music in this really creative way. There are moments on this album that seem to nod to that era—soft wind instruments and a kind of whimsical, pastoral vibe—but it doesn’t feel fully realized. It’s like a half-hearted attempt at something bigger. From what I understand, Saint Etienne used to balance cinematic storytelling with fun, danceable beats, and this just doesn’t have the same spark. It feels more like background music for an art exhibit—pretty, atmospheric, but not memorable.
If this is what their newer stuff sounds like, I can kind of see why their older fans miss their pop-dance days. I’ll probably still go back and check out their earlier albums because I want to see what all the hype is about. As for this one... I’m not sure I’ll return to it.
That said, a couple of tracks stood out—"Half Light" and "Gold" felt a bit more dynamic than the rest. Maybe they’re growers, but right now, I don’t feel super invested. I can tell they’re a band with a lot of history and influence, but this wasn’t the introduction I was hoping for.
SAINT ETIENNE - THE NIGHT
RATING - 7/10
FAVORITE TRACK - Gold
GENRE - Ambient, Pop