Albums to watch

International

Saint Etienne

International

Album number twelve from the London alternative dance trio formed in 1990 that they say will be their last

ADM rating[?]

7.4

Label
Heavenly Recordings
UK Release date
05/09/2025
US Release date
05/09/2025
  1. 10.0 |   Record Collector

    To the end, Saint Etienne have never faltered on their mission statement. Magic is here. Believe
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  2. 10.0 |   Albumism

    A fitting climax to their brilliant career, International reaffirms Saint Etienne’s propensity for crafting songs designed to stimulate our senses and illuminate our understanding of — and appreciation for — life and love
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  3. 9.0 |   XS Noize

    They may be calling it a day, but as this collaborative, celebratory farewell shows, their legacy of widescreen nostalgia and indie-dance alchemy will live on forever
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  4. 9.0 |   The Quietus

    Whatever happens, Saint Etienne want you to remember them this way with not just the pop album of the year but with the pop album of all our lives
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  5. 8.0 |   Rolling Stone

    The sophisticated U.K. pop trio say goodbye at their height of their power with International
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  6. 8.0 |   Mojo

    The whole is deeply bittersweet - but also a joyous farewell from this most wonderfully acute of English pop ensembles. Print edition only

  7. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Like all the best goodbyes, Saint Etienne bow out on top form and affectionate terms. Print edition only

  8. 8.0 |   The Arts Desk

    ‘International’ is the definition of going out on a high
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  9. 7.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    To bow out on such a lovely, heartwarming note, this last time that we get to hear new Saint Etienne on record is one to remember
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  10. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    With International, these pop academics have left us with one final lesson: if you must fade away, do so gracefully. Saint Etienne most certainly have
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  11. 7.0 |   Clash

    Overall, ‘International’ looks back at the confidence the band has in creating bright catchy pop songs, whilst maintainingthat whilst the band may no longer continue, the legacy that they have created remains bright and international
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  12. 6.7 |   Pitchfork

    With its 13th and final album, the trio is determined to go out with a bang, once more mapping dance music’s energies onto tender feelings of longing, optimism, and nostalgia
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  13. 5.0 |   Spectrum Culture

    Though hardly a crippling disappointment, Saint Etienne’s reported final album is a far-cry from their superior earlier work
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  14. 3.0 |   Far Out

    It’s harmless fun, sure, but hardly what you would call high art
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