Saint Etienne have shared a second song from their forthcoming album Home Counties. “Magpie Eyes” is a bit of sleek synthpop that, as the group’s Pete Wiggs explains, makes reference to their old label, Creation, while staying within the suburban lyrical theme of the new album:
The title was inspired by a book about Creation records ‘my Magpie Eyes are hungry for the prize’ which in turn was taken from ‘Up The Hill Down The Slope’ by The Loft. I often find myself being so deep in thought that I’m not really listening to what my children are saying to me and I extrapolated guilty feelings over that into the story of someone who for a combination of personal ambition and commuter journey time ends up missing out on his kids growing up and not really knowing them or the ‘Herberts’ they might be hanging out with.”
This and first single “Heather” are somewhat anomalies on Home Counties, which has more of a band feel a la Saint Etienne’s 1998 album In Good Humor. You can listen to “Magpie Eyes” and “Heather” below.
Saint Etienne’s fall tour kicks off with two NYC shows: Bowery Ballroom on September 25 (tickets) and Music Hall of Williamsburg on September 26 (tickets). All dates are listed below.
(via Stereogum)
Saint Etienne – 2017 North American Tour Dates
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