A Way Forward is the second studio album by American synth-pop band, Nation of Language. The album was released on November 5, 2021.
| A Way Forward | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 5, 2021 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 44:05 | |||
| Label | PIAS Recordings | |||
| Producer | Abe Seiferth Nick Millhiser | |||
| Nation of Language chronology | ||||
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| Singles from A Way Forward | ||||
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Background
editThe 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
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 76/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
| God Is in the TV | 8/10[3] |
| Mojo | [4] |
| NME | [5] |
| Paste | 8.2/10[6] |
| Pitchfork | 7.0/10[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
editAll lyrics are written by Nation of Language; all music is composed by Ian Richard Devaney, Aidan Noell, and Michael Sue-Poi
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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
edit| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[10] | 13 |
References
edit- ^ a b "A Way Forward by Nation of Language Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ Donelson, Marcy. "Nation of Language – A Way Forward". AllMusic. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ Kean, Jon (November 11, 2021). "Nation of Language – A Way Forward". God Is in the TV. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ Cowan, Andy (December 2021). "Nation of Language – A Way Forward". Mojo. p. 94.
- ^ Buchanan, Rhys (November 4, 2021). "Nation Of Language – A Way Forward review: a magical synth-pop exploration". NME. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Clare (November 4, 2021). "Even Defeat Sounds Euphoric on Nation of Language's A Way Forward". Paste. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ Brown, Austin (November 17, 2021). "Nation of Language: A Way Forward Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ "Nation of Language: A Way Forward". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- ^ "Nation of Language - A Way Forward Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". Retrieved 26 March 2023 – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 January 2022.