Strange Disciple
Studio album by
Nation of Language
ReleasedSeptember 15, 2023 (2023-09-15)
Length44:02
LabelPIAS
ProducerNick Millhiser
Nation of Language chronology
A Way Forward
(2021)		 Strange Disciple
(2023)
Singles from Strange Disciple
  1. "Sole Obsession"
    Released: March 8, 2023
  2. "Weak in Your Light"
    Released: April 13, 2023
  3. "Stumbling Still"
    Released: May 17, 2023
  4. "Too Much, Enough"
    Released: July 26, 2023
  5. "Sightseer"
    Released: September 11, 2023

Strange Disciple is the third studio album by American synth-pop band Nation of Language, released on September 15, 2023 via PIAS. It is their first album since A Way Forward in 2021.

Background

The first single, "Sole Obsession", was released on March 8, 2023.[1] The album was announced on April 13, 2023, with the release of the single "Weak in Your Light".[2] A third single, "Stumbling Still", was released on May 17, 2023.[3] The fourth single, "Too Much, Enough", was released on July 26, 2023.[4] A fifth and final single, "Sightseer", was released on September 11, 2023.[5] According to the band, the album's central theme is "infatuation and how one's reality can be warped by it."[4] The album was produced by Nick Millhiser of Holy Ghost!.[2] It marks the addition of bassist Alex MacKay, following the departure of Michael Sue-Poi.[6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic78/100[7]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Clash8/10[9]
NME[10]
Pitchfork7.3/10[11]

Strange Disciple received a score of 78 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on six critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[7] Erica Campbell of NME said, "With their third album, Nation Of Language prove their able to stretch their auditory imagination, all while sticking to their roots."[10] Similarly, AllMusic's Marcy Donelson writes how the band "adhere strictly to a core timbral palette and, at least so far, always sound like themselves."[8] Reviewing the album for Pitchfork, Hattie Lindert called the album "another achievement in economy, a project that looks to the sound of new wave as a springboard, not a textbook, and lets small touches shine".[11]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Nation of Language

Strange Disciple track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Weak in Your Light"4:15
2."Sole Obsession"4:16
3."Surely I Can't Wait"4:03
4."Swimming in the Shallow Sea"4:37
5."Too Much, Enough"4:51
6."Spare Me the Decision"2:46
7."Sightseer"4:19
8."Stumbling Still"4:39
9."A New Goodbye"5:21
10."I Will Never Learn"4:55
Total length:44:02

Personnel

Nation of Language

  • Ian Richard Devaney – vocals, synthesizer, bass, guitar, layout
  • Aidan Noell – synthesizer, vocals, layout
  • Alex MacKay – bass, vocals, layout

Additional contributors

Charts

Chart performance for Strange Disciple
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[12] 29
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[13] 49
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[14] 12

References

  1. ↑ Breihan, Tom (March 8, 2023). "Nation Of Language – "Sole Obsession"". Stereogum. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Minsker, Evan (April 13, 2023). "Nation of Language Announce New Album Strange Disciple, Share New Songs: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  3. ↑ Rettig, James (May 17, 2023). "Nation Of Language – "Stumbling Still"". Stereogum. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Dunworth, Liberty (July 26, 2023). "Watch Nation Of Language's powerful, star-studded video for 'Too Much, Enough'". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  5. ↑ Redfern, Mark (September 11, 2023). "Nation of Language Share New Song "Sightseer"". Under the Radar. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  6. ↑ DiGiacomo, Frank (August 28, 2023). "Nation of Language's Married Bandmates Discuss Their New Album, Tour & Lineup". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Strange Disciple by Nation of Language Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Donelson, Marcy. "Nation of Language - Strange Disciple Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  9. ↑ Mason, Julia (September 14, 2023). "Nation Of Language – Strange Disciple". Clash. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Campbell, Erica (September 14, 2023). "Nation Of Language – 'Strange Disciple' review: cult heroes continue their hot streak". NME. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Lindert, Hattie (September 28, 2023). "Nation of Language: Strange Disciple Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.