Nation of Language

Previous praise for Nation Of Language:

"They've delivered a true modern-day classic of the synth-pop genre." - NME ★★★★★

“A Way Forward is Nation of Language at their best and boldest.” - Gigwise, 8/10

"The synth-pop band combine mannered singing, retro-styling and high seriousness to highly impressive effect”  - Financial Times ★★★★

“It offers a subtle reminder that these art-school Brooklynites might have equally fond memories of 2000s indie-dance artists like Cut Copy, Bloc Party, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as their ’80s luminaries.” - Pitchfork

 “Let’s just call it. It’s the Album of the Year.” - KEXP

Today, Nation Of Language share new single ‘Stumbling Still’, an explosive new preview of the frenetic energy and intense array of feelings that make up their forthcoming album Strange Disciple, out 15th September via [PIAS] - pre-order here. 

Recently named one of the most anticipated albums of summer by Pitchfork, the ten-song collection is connected through themes of hopeless devotion, infatuation and overwhelming obsession, presented as the ideal soundtrack for long walks through city streets. Whereas lead singer and songwriter Ian Devaney imagines the band's 2020 debut, Introduction, Presence, as taking place in a car – and second album A Way Forward occurring on and as a locomotive – Strange Disciple is, at last, ambulatory and wayfaring, informed by the excitement of exploring new places the Brooklyn trio never thought they would see or play during their remarkable pandemic-era breakout.

Clamouring with a propulsive kraut-punk groove and bouncing bassline, ‘Stumbling Still’ encapsulates that form of forward motion, with lyrics that deliver an equally restless but far less healthy series of incessant thoughts and internal strife. 

Like the rest of Strange Disciple, ‘Stumbling Still’ was produced by Nick Millhiser (Holy Ghost!, LCD Soundsystem), and recorded in his East Williamsburg studio, as it sees Nation of Language considering the creative choices that would be most compelling to perform on-stage, for the first time. Incorporating more live drums, guitar and shoegaze influences into their arrangements than ever before, the band expand their new wave, post-punk and synth-powered sound with newfound fervor. 

The new single arrives on the heels of the soaring ‘Sole Obsession’, which “cloaks its emotional vulnerability in an avalanche of synthesizer and a rapid tempo” (Billboard), as well as album opener ‘Weak In Your Light’, hailed as both an “excellent exploration of passion and agony” and a “subdued re-introduction to the best synth-pop band in the world” (Paste). Through Devaney’s towering vocal performance, he fluctuates between fixation and shame, bringing the listener down a turbulent path of self-exploration and showing that one should not shy away from the brief pain necessary to make a much-needed change. 

Ahead of Pitchfork Festival, Primavera Sound, Outside Lands and nearly 60 more US, UK and EU performances that Nation of Language have already announced for 2023, the band are just beginning to debut music from Strange Disciple live. Earlier this month, during an unforgettable night documented by Rolling Stone, they headlined their largest hometown show to date at Brooklyn Steel. As Consequence praised, "Nation of Language put star power on display...each entrancing track was perfectly executed, and now they’ve got us hungry for more." Tonight the band headlines LA’s Fonda Theatre, before two sold-out stops in Seattle this week, each with support from Reggie Watts.