Nation of Language – Dance Called Memory review

Nation of Language, like fellow New Yorkers Water From Your Eyes have been astutely mining an it seems never ending public thrall to eighties and nineties synth pop. Their previous album Strange Disciple brought them into the critical light like never before as a result, but if they were mulling over the consequences of a change of direction, there’s little evidence on it’s follow up.

For lovers of clanky bedroom artistry, the sound if vintage equipment and a dash of melancholy, it will however be very much the repeat they were looking for. Singer-songwriter Ian Richard Devaney has used personal experiences to shape the material – most specifically Now That You’re Gone’s ruminations on watching his godfather in pallatative care – whilst an LCD Soundsystem groove dominates Inept Apollo.

This skill, a lightness of touch that makes dance music well up from places otherwise resembling the depths of despair – is central the NoL’s appeal. In this mode Another Life recalls early New Order, but it’s Under The Water and In Your Head that turn agony into ecstasy for just long enough to make us forget about everything else. If it is broke, don’t fix it.

You can read a full review here.