Nation of Language Find Their Balance on "Stumbling Still," Explosive New Single From Strange Disciple

Primavera Sound, Pitchfork Fest, Outside Lands & More Than 50 New Tour Dates Follow a Massive Hometown Kickoff at Brooklyn Steel & Headlining Date at LA's Fonda Theatre

"The best synth-pop band in the world"

Paste

Today, with the release of their latest single "Stumbling Still," Nation of Language have shared an explosive new preview of the frenetic energy and intense array of feelings that make up their forthcoming album, Strange Disciple. Out September 15th on [PIAS], and recently named one of the most anticipated albums of summer by Pitchfork, the ten-song collection is connected through themes of hopeless devotion, infatuation and overwhelming obsession, presented as the ideal soundtrack for long walks through city streets. Whereas lead singer and songwriter Ian Devaney imagines the band's 2020 debut, Introduction, Presence, as taking place in a car – and second album A Way Forward occurring on and as a locomotive – Strange Disciple is, at last, ambulatory and wayfaring, informed by the excitement of exploring new places the Brooklyn trio never thought they would see or play during their remarkable pandemic-era breakout. Clamoring with a propulsive kraut-punk groove and bouncing bassline, "Stumbling Still" encapsulates that form of forward motion, with lyrics that deliver an equally restless but far less healthy series of incessant thoughts and internal strife. 

Listen to "Stumbling Still" Here

Premiered via KCRW, "Stumbling Still" arrives on the heels of the soaring "Sole Obsession," which "cloaks its emotional vulnerability in an avalanche of synthesizer and a rapid tempo" (Billboard), as well as album opener "Weak In Your Light," hailed as both an "excellent exploration of passion and agony" and a "subdued re-introduction to the best synth-pop band in the world" (Paste). Through Devaney's towering vocal performance, he fluctuates between fixation and shame, bringing the listener down a turbulent path of self-exploration and showing that one should not shy away from the brief pain necessary to make a much-needed change. 

Like the rest of Strange Disciple, "Stumbling Still" was produced by Nick Millhiser (Holy Ghost!, LCD Soundsystem), and recorded in his East Williamsburg studio, as it sees Nation of Language considering the creative choices that would be most compelling to perform on-stage, for the first time. Incorporating more live drums, guitar and shoegaze influences into their arrangements than ever before, the band expand their new wave, post-punk and synth-powered sound with newfound fervor. 

Ahead of Pitchfork Festival, Primavera Sound, Outside Lands and nearly 60 more US, UK and EU performances that Nation of Language have already announced for 2023, the band are just beginning to debut music from Strange Disciple live. Earlier this month, during an unforgettable night documented by Rolling Stone, they headlined their largest hometown show to date at Brooklyn Steel. As Consequence praised, "Nation of Language put star power on display...each entrancing track was perfectly executed, and now they've got us hungry for more." Tonight the band headlines LA's Fonda Theatre, before two sold-out stops in Seattle this week, each with support from Reggie Watts. Find the full list of upcoming tour dates below, and tickets at nationoflanguage.com/events.