Sound of Water

Released in 2000, Sound of Water represents a significant sonic pivot for Saint Etienne, marking their full immersion into ambient and downtempo electronic music. Recorded in Berlin at To Rococo Rot's Amber Sound studio, the album was a deliberate move away from the guitar-heavy indie-pop of 'Good Humor.' The sessions were famously described by the band as being held in an 'airless, windowless oven,' which ironically resulted in some of their most spacious and airy music. The centerpiece is the nine-minute 'How We Used to Live,' a track that defied radio conventions and showcased their new interest in long-form, evolving structures. Co-produced by Gerard Johnson and featuring arrangements by Sean O'Hagan (The High Llamas), the record blends Krautrock-inspired minimalism with the band's signature lyrical nostalgia. It is widely considered their most 'electronic' statement, bridging the gap between their pop roots and the burgeoning IDM and ambient scenes of the early 2000s.