Nation of Language – Strange Disciple review

Nation of Language’s first album was crowdfunded, but not in the way that you would think. Members Ian Devaney and Aidan Noell were due to get married, but instead of asking well wishers for a honeymoon down payment or a coffee maker, they requested donations so that they could meet the costs of recording their debut Introduction, Presence.

Had things gone less well they may have been left regretting not being gifted matching luggage, but with their affecting synth pop feeling resonant in the lockdown era, interest in both that and it’s follow up A Way Forward have taken them to the upper edge of the cult band universe.

Strange Disciple sees Devaney mulling over seemingly habitual themes of, in his words, “Toxic infatuation, agony versus ecstasy and the idea that feeling something is better than nothing.” This doesn’t mean that listeners are left moping on the edge of the dancefloor however, the trio expertly mining New Order on Sole Obsession and I Will Never Learn, whilst centrepiece Too Much, Enough eviscerates the 24 hour news cycle, simultaneously melding Kraftwerk and Hot Chip.

Strange Disciple is an exercise in blending high emotions against a more primitive retro musical tableau, but NoL fans will doubtless as with past outings find much to enjoy. For the rest of us other wedding gift ideas are available.

You can read a full review here.