There is a particular Danish word “hygge’ – pronounced as ‘hooga’ – that best translates into English as “cosiness” or creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.
I always get this feeling with Saint Etienne. There is something quintessentially and comfortingly British about them – more specific London or Home Counties – and they engender a feeling of warmth with singer Sarah Cracknell’s distinctive voice and evocative lyrics. Saint Etienne were always at the forefront of mixing indie melancholia and sensibility with an electronic beat and lyrics displaying an observational fascination with ordinary life. It is a great comfort and joy to see this band back in action and no better way than with this new single off their forthcoming album fittingly called “Home Counties”.
The video is filmed around Stevenage and the song as wstrong, catchy and melancholic as any of their earlier material:
You can get the album here, and following a string of well-received gigs in Europe, St Etienne are touring the US:
Sep 24 – Boston, MA – Somerville Once Ballroom
Sep 25 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Sep 26 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
Sep 27 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
Sep 29 – Chicago, IL – Park West
Oct 2 – Seattle, WA – Neptune
Oct 4 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Oct 5 – Pomona, CA – Glass House
Oct 6 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
