A triumphant third album, Nation of Language’s Strange Disciple doesn’t waste any time as it immediately dives into new sonic territory. Yes, the Brooklyn three-piece still succeed in shepherding us through a transformed New Wave landscape, but the cornerstones here are sleek, advanced, modern.
Nation of Language their album, “Strange Disciple” on Play It Again Sam. Following performances at Primavera Sound, Pitchfork Festival, Outside Lands and dozens more of their biggest headline shows to date, the Brooklyn band’s third LP is one that is meant to invoke wandering, wondrous walks through city streets both foreign and familiar. In the three short years since their acclaimed debut, 2020’s “Introduction, Presence”, Nation of Language have sustained an increasing ascent from small, hyperlocal scenes to international stages and late-night television, while their musical evolution has embodied three distinct modes of moving through the world: lead singer and songwriter Ian Devaney imagines the band’s first album,
Introduction, Presence, as taking place in a car, whereas second album “A Way Forward” occurred on and as a locomotive, influenced by the chugging sound of krautrock. Now, as their first record to be fully created and released outside the confines of a pandemic-instilled lockdown, “Strange Disciple” is centred around groove-driven songs and bouncing basslines that feel ambulatory and wayfaring, informed by the excitement of exploring new places the band never thought they would see on tour.
Highlights include Talking Heads-esque “Surely I Can’t Wait,” the hypnotic “Weak In Your Light,” and one of the best songs the band has ever released, “Spare Me the Decision.” The latter of these makes one want to dance alone in their room, not to cassette tapes but to your streaming service of choice on a Bluetooth speaker.
The Fat Angel Sings 