Last Updated on 2026-03-15 by a-indie
Where the Songs Come From
The One Track You Must Hear
-Wakiki: Are there any tracks on the album you especially want listeners to hear, or that feel particularly important to the band? Please tell us why.
Ian: I think the opening song on 『Dance Called Memory』, 「Can’t Face Another One」, is one of the songs that means a lot to me in particular. It captures, for me, the confusion of feeling great pain or shame, and contending with the idea that this pain is deserved, and not wanting a reprieve from it. I felt like I had really achieved something new in my songwriting when we finished it.
The 「Inept Apollo」 Remix
-Wakiki: 「Inept Apollo」 has been especially popular with both reviewers and listeners. In 2026, Tom Sharkett released a remix that leans more toward the dance floor. What changes or elements did you like most in that remix? And what was the vibe like when it was tested in a club setting?
Ian: It felt really great when we used it in a DJ set. It’s just so fun, and does a great job balancing familiar aspects of the original song with completely new additions Tom wrote for it. Whether people knew the original or not it definitely got people moving. We’re looking to do even more DJing this year, so it will definitely be a part of the regular rotation.
The Fragment of Memory in the Artwork
-Wakiki: We’d love to ask about the album artwork. Paired with the title 『Dance Called Memory』, it gave me the feeling of gently lifting one precious moment out of memory — something I personally found really moving. What intention or image did you have in mind with the artwork?
Ian: That is exactly the intention I had! So many of my powerful memories are anchored by just one little moment or detail that has stuck with me — I wanted to capture how something so simple and brief, like a ripped-open bag of cherries, can be so transportive.
Where the Music Reaches
An Album Open to Everyone
-Wakiki: This album feels less bound by genre, with more shoegaze-leaning elements and a warmth that feels very human. It seems like it’s reaching not just longtime fans but a wider audience. Who would you most like to listen to this album?
Ian: I don’t think I have an ideal listener, to be honest. The people who come to our concerts often span a large range of ages and personal style, and that’s something I’ve really come to appreciate. I want our music to be something that brings people together, so for me the growth of the fanbase is all about just observing and being curious about who is connecting with it.
Defining the Sound in Their Own Words
-Wakiki: In the press, the band is often described as synth-pop or post-punk-inspired synth-pop — but how would you describe the sound of Nation of Language in your own words right now? Feel free to go beyond existing genre labels, talk about the band’s stance or atmosphere, or even make something up.
Ian: I might call us New Wave, in a very broad sense — I think of it as a genre that spans multiple decades, and includes a lot of our influences, like Talking Heads or New Order. A lot of the other bands in our DNA are “indie” bands that are often indebted to new wave music of the 70s and 80s as well, like LCD Soundsystem or MGMT.
Live: An Emotional Release
-Wakiki: Nation of Language’s music has this quality of making you want to cry while you’re dancing. How do you arrange and deliver that live for audiences? And what do you feel is most important to hold onto when you perform?
Ian: I think it comes down to being vulnerable — the live show is a place where I go through such a range of emotions, and I want to take the opportunity to be open and honest with my feelings, and let people know that they can do the same. Some people dance, some cry, some kiss, some just stare off into the distance — it’s all welcome.
First Time in Japan — A Message to Japanese Listeners
On Tokyo
-Wakiki: This will be your first time performing in Japan. What are you looking forward to from Japanese audiences, and is there a particular song you’re excited to see their reaction to and why? Also, what are you looking forward to during your stay? We hope you get to enjoy the cherry blossoms while you’re here this time of year.
Ian: I always love playing in new places, mainly because I have no idea what to expect or look forward to. I think the process of discovery is one of the coolest parts about touring. It’s also fun to learn, in real time, which songs connect most with different audiences — that can change a lot from city to city.
I’ve been to Tokyo twice as a tourist before, so I’m just excited to walk the neighborhoods — it’s a city that really rewards wandering, I think. I’ve stumbled upon so many cool cafes, museums, shrines, etc just by walking in random directions for hours.
To Listeners in Japan
-Wakiki: Finally, do you have a message for listeners in Japan?
Ian: I’ve been dreaming of performing in your beautiful country since I was a child, so thank you to everyone who is helping to make it possible.
NATION OF LANGUAGE Album Release
4th Album 『DANCE CALLED MEMORY』
Release date: September 19, 2025
Label: Sub Pop
Track listing:
01. Can’t Face Another One
02. In Another Life
03. Silhouette
04. Now That You’re Gone
05. I’m Not Ready for the Change
06. Can You Reach Me
07. Inept Apollo
08. Under the Water
09. In Your Head
10. Nights of Weight
Listen on Bandcamp
NATION OF LANGUAGE Band Profile
NATION OF LANGUAGE is a synth-pop band based in Brooklyn, New York. The members are Ian Richard Devaney (Vo., Gt., Syn., パーカッション), Aidan Noell (Syn.), and Alex MacKay (Ba.). Their 2020 debut 『Introduction, Presence』 and 2021 follow-up 『A Way Forward』 earned worldwide resonance during the pandemic. Their 2023 third album 『Strange Disciple』 was named Rough Trade UK’s album of the year and received high praise from Pitchfork. Rebuilding classic genres — new wave, post-punk, goth — through a contemporary lens, their music carries an uplifting quality often described as “a beam of hope,” and their global fanbase continues to grow. The 2025 fourth album 『Dance Called Memory』, their first release on Sub Pop, is an ambitious work built around the themes of loss, friendship, and humanity.
NATION OF LANGUAGE Japan Tour Details
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Venue: Tokyo, Daikanyama SPACE ODD
Enquiries: Creative Man
Details: https://www.creativeman.co.jp/event/nation-of-language_26/
Writer: Wakiki
A BayStars fan who loves coffee, cigarettes, and music. Based in Mie Prefecture. All previous articles by Wakiki are here
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