When I think about Nation of languageI'm thinking about a joke from a book Love is a mixtapein which author Rob Sheffield reveals that he knew he had fallen in love with someone when he found himself fantasizing about being in a synth-pop duo with him. Ian Richard Devaney and Aidan Noell had a fantasy come to life when they saw Alex Mackay across the bar and loved the vibe – and Language Nation was born. (Or so I imagine.)
The New York trio have released a new album. Dance called “Memory”this year, but I have to admit, it didn’t quite grab me as much as 2023 did. Strange student did. However, a new live performance for NPR's World Cafe, filmed at WXPN in Philadelphia, reminded me that this band's real magic comes on stage, and maybe I just need to experience this material in that setting to fully appreciate it.
The Nation of Language show at the Toronto Concert Hall last October was one of my absolute favorites of 2024, and this live session immediately took me back to that moment, reminding me why their ever-buoyant, time-indebted brand of '80s synth-pop that floats through you – much like a daydream – demands attention in such a humble yet powerful way.
Watching the band perform “In Another Life” and “I'm Not Ready for the Change” from the new album, “Inept Apollo” and “Can You Reach Me”, I need to rewatch Dance called “Memory” now that mine have been run through (and we'll see them in person as soon as possible).
