Saint Etienne have announced details of Magpie Eyes, the first single to be taken from their forthcoming album, Home Counties, released on Heavenly Recordings on Friday 2nd June.

Talking about the track, Pete Wiggs of Saint Etienne said:

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.”

The album was produced by Shawn Lee of Young Gun Silver Fox, with support from Augustus (Kero Kero Bonito), Carwyn Ellis (Colorama, Edwyn Collins), Robin Bennett (The Dreaming Spires), Richard X (Girls On Top / Black Melody) and long-time collaborator Gerard Johnson (Denim, Yes). The cover of the album was designed by renowned artist Scott King