CD of The Week

Brooklyn trio Nation of Language consists of Ian Richard Devaney (vox, synths, guitar), his wife Aidan Noell (synths, vox), and Alex MacKay (bass). They've just unleashed their fourth album in five years, and while the first three releases were somewhat joyful and refreshing respites from dreary politics and COVID during the first half of the 2020's, this latest delves deeper into darker territory, examining the existential viewpoints of young adults swiftly moving through their thirties. Dance Called Memory also deftly ponders the human condition as we approach our AI-centric and very uncertain future. Once again working with producer Nick Millhiser (LCD Soundsystem, Holy Ghost!), this is their first album on the legendary label Sub Pop Records.

With one foot in the past and the other in the future, NoL weave multiple sonic influences from past decades into an eclectic, yet cohesive, hodgepodge of swirling synths, ethereal vocals, and punchy dance rhythms. Also, guitars are more frequently used than in their previous output; from simple strumming ("Can You Reach Me?") to distorted shoegaze ("I'm Not Ready For The Change"), these added elements bring maturity and diversity to their developing aura. On "In Another Life," the guitar plucking recalls new wave giants Echo & The Bunnymen, and on "Silhouette" the punchy guitar and bass interplay evokes a slick blend of peers Future Islands and Metronomy.

Introspection and vulnerability are at the forefront of the lyrics on Dance Called Memory. Even the title suggests that memories and nostalgia are always swirling around our minds along with love, regret, loss, and ambition. Nation of Language choose to choreograph this chaos into art. "And I'm hanging on the line, A simple sideshow, In your head, Calling out, caving in" from "In Your Head" examines painful memories while still putting you on the dance floor. Tracks like "I'm Not Ready For The Change" and "Now That You're Gone" read just like they sound, morose and full of suffering, yet the listener is still set aloft on the waves of warm melodies and soundscapes. On a lot of the tracks, Ian's tonal delivery recalls the early goth voices of New Order and O.M.D.; gloomy and a little bit glammy, too.

Not resting on their laurels, NoL only needs 10 new tracks on Dance Called Memory to whisk influence with experience and set the stage for a flourishing career. If they continue at this pace of output, we'll have plenty of memories to dance to.

Nation of Language stop by Union Transfer in Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 19th.