Nation Of Language - Strange Disciple

Released: 15/09/23

In its sensibility,Nation of Language'sStrange Disciple is a throwback to that rarest of things these days, synth pop for adults “ that particular strain that was so prevalent in the 80s and early 90s, but is now, alas, an endangered species. This particular sub-genre tended on the whole to be made by enlightened, politically engaged British people, who were pioneers in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, well-read, and didn't hide their smarts under the proverbial bushell “ New Order, Erasure, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, early Human League and Depeche Mode among them. Indeed, there's more than a hint of OMD's Andy McCluskey in the arch vocals of NoL frontman Ian Richard Devaney, as well as XTC's Andy Partridge “ and so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the trio are not Brits at all, but from Brooklyn in the US of Stateside. Which obviously matters not a jot “ good taste is good taste; and what's more, NoL too are fully socio-politically engaged, evidenced by the single 'Too Much, Enough', the Robert Kolodny-directed video for which being a brilliant take down of, in the band's words, angering, addictive and anxiety-inducing TV news cycles. And so, with the fantastic Strange Disciple, NoL, with bags of wit and style, continue the important legacy of 'synth pop for adults' “ which, in these turbulent times, is a comforting thought indeed.