A Way Forward

A Way Forward
Studio album by
Nation of Language
ReleasedNovember 5, 2021 (2021-11-05)
Genre
Length44:05
LabelPIAS Recordings
ProducerAbe Seiferth
Nick Millhiser
Nation of Language chronology
Introduction, Presence
(2020) 		A Way Forward
(2021) 		Strange Disciple
(2023)
Singles from A Way Forward
  1. "Across That Fine Line"
    Released: June 3, 2021
  2. "Wounds of Love"
    Released: July 8, 2021
  3. "This Fractured Mind"
    Released: August 5, 2021
  4. "A Word & A Wave"
    Released: September 9, 2021
  5. "The Grey Commute"
    Released: October 20, 2021

A Way Forward is the second studio album by American synth-pop band, Nation of Language. The album was released on November 5, 2021, and was their last to feature original bassist Michael Sue-Poi before his departure in 2022.

Background

The album was announced on June 3, 2021, with the release of the first single "Across That Fine Line". Three variations of the vinyl record were made available: a standard black color, a red and blue blend sold from Rough Trade Records, and a coke-bottle-clear color sold through the band's webstore. Rough Trade also offered a bonus CD which features alternate versions of the tracks "A Word & A Wave", "In Manhattan" and "Miranda", plus a remix of the band's 2020 single "A Different Kind of Life" by producer Nick Millhiser.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic76/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarHalf star[2]
God Is in the TV8/10[3]
MojoStarStarStar[4]
NMEStarStarStarStarStar[5]
Paste8.2/10[6]
Pitchfork7.0/10[7]

The album received a Metacritic score of 76 out of 100, which indicates generally favorable reviews.[1]

Austin Brown of Pitchfork said, "The band’s decision to expand their swagger and invest in more complex synth work pushes them to new territory, and the most remarkable digressions from their comfort zone point towards a future beyond pastiche."[8] Similarly, Allmusic's Marcy Donelson writes how, "the detailing and variable arrangements here, combined with engaging songs, lift A Way Forward above the level of genre exercise, occasionally into something more compositional".[9]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Nation of Language; all music is composed by Ian Richard Devaney, Aidan Noell, and Michael Sue-Poi.

No.TitleLength
1."In Manhattan"3:53
2."Across That Fine Line"5:25
3."Wounds of Love"3:19
4."Miranda"3:42
5."The Grey Commute"3:37
6."This Fractured Mind"5:20
7."Former Self"5:10
8."Whatever You Want"4:53
9."A Word & A Wave"3:52
10."They're Beckoning"4:49
Total length:44:05
  • Tracks 1, 4, 7, 9 and 10 were produced and mixed by Nick Millhiser.
  • Tracks 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 were produced and mixed by Abe Seiferth.

Charts

Chart performance for A Way Forward
Chart (2022) Peak
position
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[10] 13

References

  1. ^ a b "A Way Forward by Nation of Language Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  2. ^ Donelson, Marcy. "Nation of Language – A Way Forward". AllMusic. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Kean, Jon (November 11, 2021). "Nation of Language – A Way Forward". God Is in the TV. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Cowan, Andy (December 2021). "Nation of Language – A Way Forward". Mojo. p. 94.
  5. ^ Buchanan, Rhys (November 4, 2021). "Nation Of Language – A Way Forward review: a magical synth-pop exploration". NME. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  6. ^ Martin, Clare (November 4, 2021). "Even Defeat Sounds Euphoric on Nation of Language's A Way Forward". Paste. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  7. ^ Brown, Austin (November 17, 2021). "Nation of Language: A Way Forward Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  8. ^ "Nation of Language: A Way Forward". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "Nation of Language - A Way Forward Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". Retrieved March 26, 2023 – via www.allmusic.com.
  10. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 28/1/2022 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 January 2022.

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