Nation of Language - Dance Called Memory (Album Review)
Thursday, 25 September 2025
Written by Chris Connor
With a sound that incorporates elements of pop, post-punk and heavy synths, Nation of Language’s sound is eclectic and inviting, with their fourth LP ‘Dance Called Memory’ suggesting once again that they should be on more people’s radars.
Opener Can’t Face Another One is a slow burner, gradually unfurling with Ian Richard Devaney’s vocals taking centre stage, swirling around the synths in the final moments. Slower and more introspective, it shows the variety on display throughout the record.
In Another Life has more of a post-punk feel to it, recalling the early work of The The, while Silhouette finds a sweet spot between the rockier side of the group’s sound and drum loops and synths, feeling a tad like Future Islands.
Now That You’ve Gone is more of an epic, with its extra real estate used to encapsulate much of what makes Nation of Language great in a single track, blending their disparate styles into a cohesive whole across the course of five expansive minutes.
There are hints at a slightly more poppy direction with I’m Not Ready For The Change. It doesn’t fit quite as readily as other parts, feeling slightly off kilter, but Can You Reach Me’s embrace of soft-rock, complete with feather-light guitars, is an interesting departure that has potential for future investigation.
Inept Apollo, which preceded the album, is a real gem. Devaney’s vocals have rarely sounded better, with some impressive harmonies thrown in, while its growing sense of momentum is thrilling. ‘Dance Called Memory’ is another stellar record from Nation of Language, evolving their existing sound in some exciting ways while staying true to the spirit of their previous work.
Nation Of Language Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu November 06 2025 - DUBLIN Opium
Fri November 07 2025 - DUBLIN Opium
Sat November 08 2025 - MANCHESTER O2 Ritz
Sun November 09 2025 - GLASGOW SWG3 TV Studio
Tue November 11 2025 - CARDIFF Tramshed
Wed November 12 2025 - LONDON Roundhouse
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