Brooklyn Vegan — by Bill Pearis Saint Etienne singer Sarah Cracknell is set to release Red Kite on June 15 via Cherry Red. It's only her second-ever solo record, and first since 1997's Lipslide. Here, she trades her band's dancepop for pastoral folk... more info

Nialler9 — Already announced this past week? Manu Chao, Sufjan Stevens, Amanda Palmer, Valentia Island, Body & Soul additions… One-off shows Matthew E. White is coming for a show and a chat with Banter on Monday 4th May in Twisted Pepper. The talk begins at ... more info

Stereogum — The last time Sarah Cracknell put out a solo album it was 1997, so Red Kite is technically her first record in 18 years. Of course, Cracknell has kept busy during the interim as the vocalist for the romanticized-pop trio Saint Etienne. She sings with... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — Au Revoir Simone released Move in Spectrums and will have out a new remix album, simply titled Spectrums, in July via Moshi Moshi. The 19-track record features reworks by Clock Opera, Saint Etienne's Pete Wiggs, Friendly Fires' Jack Savidge... more info

The Music Fix — Foxbase alpha, beta, charlie. more info

DrownedInSound — Heavenly Recordings' reputation for sniffing out hot new talent goes back decades. Among the label's earliest releases were Saint Etienne's 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart' and 'Motown Junk' by Manic Street Preachers. Since then, they've been respons... more info

Impose Magazine — Covers are transformative experiences for the song's original as much as they can be transcendent of the initial artist's intent. But perhaps an artist's skill is best tested when sentimental dad rock is rethought into modern day dance te... more info

Guardian Music — Wu Lyf among growing number of UK rock acts unable to bear intense pressure of social media scrutinyLive fast, die young was famously the title of a biography of James Dean. But as a motto, it could apply to a growing number of young British rock ban... more info

Guardian Music — The tension's racking up! Have we forgotten Grizzly Bear again? Why have we left out the Tibetan nose-flute skiffle improvisation? The countdown continues …20 Plan B – Ill ManorsReading on mobile? Watch hereWhat we said about Plan B: "The substan... more info

LargeHeartedBoy — PopMatters interviews Pete Wiggs of Saint Etienne. Even if you've evolved with the passing of times, there's still a uniquely Saint Etienne sound to your music. What do you think of the idea that dance artists need to reinvent themselves... more info