A Gentler Redesign

Nation of Language “Too Much, Enough”

Nation of Language are essentially like if Kraftwerk had pivoted into early new wave around 1982, with their particular synthesizer aesthetics applied to a distinctly early 80s melodic and lyrical sensibility. It’s clear to me that the band’s songwriter and singer Ian Devaney has internalized all this old music to the point that it’s all natural impulses rather than a contrived concept or rote pastiche. It certainly helps that his songwriting craft is strong, enough so that the band’s best songs sound as though they’re on par with their inspirations. “Too Much, Enough” is particularly great in the way its keyboard parts imply a widescreen cinematic scale and in how Devaney’s handsome vocal tone lends warmth and drama to lyrics that seem coldly analytical on the page. There’s some incredible turns of phrase in the lyrics, though – I’m especially fond of the “swimming in sweat, television sweat” hook in the chorus.

Buy it from Bandcamp.