Dance Called Memory by Nation of Language

It’s awesome to have been with a band since they first started, watching them grow and evolve over time. Nation of Language, the synth-pop trio out of Brooklyn, have released four albums in the last six years, all of which have been in the top half of the respective years’ Top 31 (#3 in 2023, #4 in 2021, #15 in 2020, and now with their fourth, Dance Called Memory, here at #11 in 2025). Vocalist Ian Richard Duvaney, his longtime romantic partner, keyboardist and backup vocalist Aidan Noell, and bassist Alex MacKay have created one great album after another since they formed in 2016 (MacKay joined the band in February 2022 as they started their North American / European tour for 2021’s A Way Forward, after original bassist Michael Sue-Poi left).

If, like me, you’ve been a fan of what Nation of Language has produced so far, then Dance Called Memory is right up your alley. These 10 songs will not surprise you with a left turn, or something un-NoL like — which is impressive in and of itself. When I wrote about the band’s 2021 album, I assumed I’d grow tired of their music, attributing what I considered “derivative” to mean it would not carry them forward. And I’m happy to say I was completely wrong. I still hold that their third album, 2024’s Strange Disciple, is their best, but it’s not a very easy call to make.

To get a good sense of these new songs, you can check out the band’s KEXP performance from August of this past year. Additionally, watch the video for “Inept Apollo,” featured above. Directed by bassist Alex MacKay’s brother John, the song’s lyrics speak to times gone by: “I still remember how it was before.” The video for “I’m Not Ready for the Change” was also directed by MacKay. With its repeated “I’m not ready for the change” chorus, evokes that feeling we all get when we’re not ready for whatever big life change is coming around the corner. “Nights of Weight,” a more somber song featuring Ian Devaney’s guitar strumming and haunting vocals mixed with a bit of harmony and synths drowned out in the background, has a 1-take video shot by Ian’s brother Sean. Like the other songs, its message is a bit obtuse, but the emotion it conveys is one of melancholy. “I can’t handle your silence / Used to be comforting, long ago.”

With lyrics like these you’d expect that Devaney’s life was full of broken relationships and sadness – but he and Noelle have been married since July 2018, and together for even longer. 2025 was supposed lead into a glorious 2026 for the couple, but instead ended in immense sadness for them when on December 11, Ian announced the loss of their first child, daughter George Margaret, on Instagram. She arrived much too early, at only 22 weeks, and did not survive. According to their social media presence, they appear to have a fantastic foundation of support that has helped them through this rough time. I can also see that the band has decided the best road to recovery is to not get in the way of progress for the band, resuming their tour with a couple of shows in January and then they move onto Mexico in February.

We all have to find our way to move forward when faced with tragedy, and I’m glad the couple has been able to get back out and perform. But I can’t help what wonder what the rest of 2026 will bring, once the already-booked tour stops have been played. Heartbreak often makes for beautiful art, but it can be an impossible hurdle for relationships. I wish them both and the band the best, and I hope they make it through the rest of the year stronger than ever and ready for whatever comes next.