Strange Disciple
| Strange Disciple | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 15, 2023 | |||
| Length | 44:02 | |||
| Label | PIAS | |||
| Producer | Nick Millhiser | |||
| Nation of Language chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Strange Disciple | ||||
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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
[edit]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
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 78/100[7] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [8] |
| Clash | 8/10[9] |
| NME | [10] |
| Pitchfork | 7.3/10[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] In a more mixed assessment, Leo Lawton of Loud and Quiet wrote, "If you were to wedge this album in between those of OMD, Gary Numan and the Jesus and Mary Chain, Strange Disciple might become slightly easier to locate... Whilst this record may lack much stylistic disparity across each track, I can't argue with the fact that Nation of Language's late-'80s pastiche is very well executed."[12]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Nation of Language.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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
[edit]Nation of Language
- Ian Richard Devaney – vocals, synthesizer, bass, guitar, layout
- Aidan Noell – synthesizer, vocals, layout
- Alex MacKay – bass, vocals, layout
Additional contributors
- Nick Millhiser – production, mixing, synthesizer, drums
- Heba Kadry – mastering
- Noah Rubin – drums
- Christian Little – cover artwork
- Allyson Leigh Peck – layout
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (Official Charts)[13] | 29 |
| UK Album Downloads (Official Charts)[14] | 49 |
| UK Independent Albums (Official Charts)[15] | 12 |
References
[edit]- ↑ Breihan, Tom (March 8, 2023). "Nation Of Language – "Sole Obsession"". Stereogum. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- 1 2 Minsker, Evan (April 13, 2023). "Nation of Language Announce New Album Strange Disciple, Share New Songs: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- ↑ Rettig, James (May 17, 2023). "Nation Of Language – "Stumbling Still"". Stereogum. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- 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.
- ↑ Redfern, Mark (September 11, 2023). "Nation of Language Share New Song "Sightseer"". Under the Radar. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ↑ DiGiacomo, Frank (August 28, 2023). "Nation of Language's Married Bandmates Discuss Their New Album, Tour & Lineup". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- 1 2 "Strange Disciple by Nation of Language Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- 1 2 Donelson, Marcy. "Nation of Language - Strange Disciple Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- ↑ Mason, Julia (September 14, 2023). "Nation Of Language – Strange Disciple". Clash. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- 1 2 Campbell, Erica (September 14, 2023). "Nation Of Language – 'Strange Disciple' review: cult heroes continue their hot streak". NME. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- 1 2 Lindert, Hattie (September 28, 2023). "Nation of Language: Strange Disciple Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ↑ Lawton, Leo (September 18, 2023). "Nation of Language: Strange Disciple". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 22/9/2023 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 22/9/2023 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 22/9/2023 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Strange Disciple at Discogs (list of releases)
