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]
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.
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
Nation of Language
Ian Richard Devaney – vocals, synthesizer, bass, guitar, layout
