Balearic/Downtempo charts

Review: If elements of Saint Etienne's wonderfully nostalgic and evocative tenth album, I've Been Trying To Tell You, seem familiar, it's because the band deliberately chose to make use of sounds and samples previously utilised during their 1997-2001 halcyon period. Given that the album arrives 30 years after their acclaimed debut, Foxbase Alpha, it's a smart move. If you love the band's particularly whimsical, atmospheric sound - and who doesn't - you'll immediately feel right at home. Sitting somewhere between dream pop and Balearica with occasional nods to house and more experimental electronic sounds, it's a gorgeously loved-up affair with memorable vocal numbers (where Sarah Cracknell's singing sounds as magical as ever) being joined by equally as inspired instrumentals.