Saint Etienne - Words and Music by Saint Etienne

Artists professing their admiration for the field in which they work, particularly in the world of music, can often be nauseating. From the New Seekers' endeavours to Teach the World to Sing to ABBA's Thank You For the Music there's been a vast range of celebratory moments that, whilst fantastic tunes, are rather cruelly mocked for their reverie and optimism. Particularly recently, in a world where James Blake and Ed Sheeran are somehow successful for their soul-crushingly bleak and poignant lyricism, the need for pop has been quite shunned.

Their eighth album - their first studio release in 7 years - comes fresh off the back of the pop maestros rereleasing their older material. Perhaps Words and Music... could be said to be the end product of a night's drunken reminisces, a fond rose-tinted glimpse of the past and a generous dollop of self-exploration. 

Because the album opens with a spoken introduction, 'Over the Border', over some rather distanced folk-strings, we're immediately transported into another's fond memories of growing up with pop music. Discussing Peter Gabriel's house in Somerset, first kisses and Morris Minors, Sarah Cracknell's quiet revelatory tone gives the track a little kitsch touch but it's honest. Probably unrelatable since I'm only 22, but even Top of the Pops, mock exams and the sheer escapism of music is surely cross-generational, and that's its appeal: the account is at times specific and focuses on particular cultural phenomena, but its appreciation for pop is very much the fore of their album. They thus turn up the dance synths on 'I've Got Your Music', a strong 1980s pop tune that, helmed by former Xenomania man Tim Powell, very much evokes Pet Shop Boys sounds. Piano keys dominate the lively 'Heading for the Fair', which ponders "I believe we haven't changed since then", as if to reinforce their eternal adoration for their field.

It's a field which, at times, they unwaveringly demonstrate their impact upon. 'Last Days of Disco' combines a series of unusual sounds - disco background, strong R&B foreground - to produce a slow, sleek chunk of fun. Much more forthright and contemporary is the synth-rave 'Tonight': Cracknell slightly reduced to autotune but a misfortune forgiven by the excellent euphoria of it all ("Check my make-up and check my watch again, I can hardly wait"). 'Answer Song' is somehow more brassy, and throws in theremins, making it a dreamy romantic moment. There's then a brief interlude with 'Record Doctor', in which music is personified a little obviously but cutely, with odd humming in the background. They quickly return to dance-pop though on 'Popular', where Cracknell does a convincing Kylie impression; "touch me, touch me/ squeeze me, please me" being the ends to the chorus lyrics.

The extraterrestrial opening to 'Twenty Five Years' and its fatalistic lyrical themes make it stand out for obvious reasons, but musically it stagnates a little. 'DJ' - a figure that's already adored to the point of banal idiocy in modern eurodance thanks to P!nk, Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna - is another breathy, catchy dance track that deserves radio play. 'When I Was Seventeen' is an obvious trip down memory lane that touches upon the vitality and passion with which new music and love is greeted at such an age. It's not all after-school discos though: 'I Threw it All Away' has a slow ragtime folkiness about it, sighing "does it come back to you late at night? Do you remember those days down on the avenue?" and it's an unusual touch of diversity but feels completely out of place. Thankfully though they opt to close with 'Haunted Jukebox', a sweet pop song with a turn-of-the-Millenium genericness that's, one would suppose, to be expected of an accurate representation of all pop music.

I get a slight impression that the record is more aimed at older pop fans and a touch too nostalgic for new and upcoming pop listeners to really appreciate, since there're references to musicians, stores and magazines that're rapidly becoming archaic. However, what's immediately obvious is Saint Etienne's affection for music, and their representation of it, rather than cheesy and self-indulgent, is exciting, refreshing and timeless.

Rating: 8/10
Highlights: Popular, Tonight, I've Got Your Music, DJ, Answer Song
Avoid: Twenty Five Years, I Threw it All Away

Artwork Watch: Albums that can double up as an RAC map are always totes useful - but sadly this one's a fictional gathering of favourite songs and their titles.
For fans of: Robyn, Kylie Minogue, Groove Armada
Up next: The Temper Trap