Nation of Language

Nation of Language is a three-piece band based in Brooklyn that combines parts of synth pop with new wave and a pinch of post-punk.  Despite being such a synth-centric band, their music moves quite organically in exactly the same way that the best of '80s new wave acts were able to counterbalance the rigidity of their instrumental set up: pouring a lot of heart and soul into the songs. The band seems to understand that at a deep level: vocalist Ian Devaney is able to capture a lot of that same emotional timbre. On the synths front, their sound typically follows the Depeche Mode and OMD blueprint, the latter being a band that Devaney sites as an inspiration, but there are also times that suggest that the members must really love their old Kraftwerk records. The songs have a dark undertone for sure, but they do lock in on a nice, familiar groove.