Nation of Language is an American synth-pop trio formed in Brooklyn in 2016 around Ian Devaney and Aidan Noell, with Alex MacKay on bass. They channel OMD, New Order, and Kraftwerk into something that feels current, not costume — A Way Forward (2021) and Strange Disciple (2023) are the ones to grab first. Browse Nation of Language vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Nation of Language formed in Brooklyn, New York in 2016 around Ian Devaney and Aidan Noell (who subsequently married). Alex MacKay joined as bassist. Their distinctive synth-pop and post-punk approach - drawing on classic 1980s synth-pop and Krautrock reference points (particularly OMD, New Order, and Kraftwerk) - has positioned them as a defining contemporary post-punk revival act alongside contemporaries like Molchat Doma, Drab Majesty, and Cold Cave.
Nation of Language's sound combines synth-pop, post-punk, new wave, cold wave, dream pop, and Krautrock with Devaney's distinctive vocal delivery, atmospheric synthesizer-driven production, and arrangements drawing on classic 1980s synth-pop (particularly OMD, New Order) alongside Krautrock and contemporary post-punk influences.
Self-released and PIAS Recordings pressings of the Nation of Language catalog have been issued in multiple color variant editions.
Listeners new to Nation of Language typically start with A Way Forward (2021) or Strange Disciple (2023).
