Strange Disciple

The first single, "Sole Obsession", was released on March 8, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2216218/nation-of-language-sole-obsession/music/|title=Nation Of Language – "Sole Obsession"|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=March 8, 2023|website=Stereogum|access-date=September 16, 2023}} The album was announced on April 13, 2023, with the release of the single "Weak in Your Light".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/nation-of-language-announce-new-album-strange-disciple-share-new-songs-listen/|title=Nation of Language Announce New Album Strange Disciple, Share New Songs: Listen|last=Minsker|first=Evan|date=April 13, 2023|website=Pitchfork|access-date=September 16, 2023}} A third single, "Stumbling Still", was released on May 17, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2223877/nation-of-language-stumbling-still/music/|title=Nation Of Language – "Stumbling Still"|last=Rettig|first=James|date=May 17, 2023|website=Stereogum|access-date=September 16, 2023}} The fourth single, "Too Much, Enough", was released on July 26, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-nation-of-language-too-much-enough-single-album-preorder-3473827|title=Watch Nation Of Language's powerful, star-studded video for 'Too Much, Enough'|last=Dunworth|first=Liberty|date=July 26, 2023|website=Pitchfork|access-date=September 16, 2023}} A fifth and final single, "Sightseer", was released on September 11, 2023.{{cite magazine|last=Redfern|first=Mark|date=September 11, 2023|title=Nation of Language Share New Song "Sightseer"|url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/nation_of_language_share_new_song_sightseer|magazine=Under the Radar|access-date=September 17, 2023}} According to the band, the album's central theme is "infatuation and how one's reality can be warped by it." The album was produced by Nick Millhiser of Holy Ghost!. It marks the addition of bassist Alex MacKay, following the departure of Michael Sue-Poi.{{cite magazine|last=DiGiacomo|first=Frank|date=August 28, 2023|title=Nation of Language's Married Bandmates Discuss Their New Album, Tour & Lineup|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nation-of-language-ian-devaney-aidan-noell-tour-new-album-1235401964/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 16, 2023}}

{{Music ratings

| MC = 78/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/strange-disciple/nation-of-language|title=Strange Disciple by Nation of Language Reviews and Tracks|website=Metacritic|access-date=September 28, 2023}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/strange-disciple-mw0003970903|title=Nation of Language - Strange Disciple Album Reviews, Songs & More|last=Donelson|first=Marcy|website=AllMusic|access-date=September 16, 2023}}

| rev2 = Clash

| rev2score = 8/10{{cite web|last=Mason|first=Julia|date=September 14, 2023|title=Nation Of Language – Strange Disciple|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/nation-of-language-strange-disciple/|magazine=Clash|access-date=September 16, 2023}}

| rev3 = NME

| rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/nation-of-language-strange-disciple-review-3497127|title=Nation Of Language – 'Strange Disciple' review: cult heroes continue their hot streak|last=Campbell|first=Erica|date=September 14, 2023|website=NME|access-date=September 16, 2023}}

| rev4 = Pitchfork

| rev4score = 7.3/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/nation-of-language-strange-disciple/|title=Nation of Language: Strange Disciple Album Review|website=Pitchfork|last=Lindert|first=Hattie|date=September 28, 2023|access-date=September 28, 2023}}

}}

Strange Disciple received a score of 78 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on six critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception. 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." 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." 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".

{{Track listing

|headline = Strange Disciple track listing

|all_writing = Nation of Language

|title1= Weak in Your Light

|length1=4:15

|title2= Sole Obsession

|length2=4:16

|title3=Surely I Can't Wait

|length3=4:03

|title4=Swimming in the Shallow Sea

|length4=4:37

|title5=Too Much, Enough

|length5=4:51

|title6=Spare Me the Decision

|length6=2:46

|title7=Sightseer

|length7=4:19

|title8=Stumbling Still

|length8=4:39

|title9=A New Goodbye

|length9=5:21

|title10=I Will Never Learn

|length10=4:55

|total_length=44:02

}}

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

{{reflist}}

• {{discogs master|3240349}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2023 albums

Category:Nation of Language albums

Category:PIAS Recordings albums