Introduction, Presence by Nation of Language

by Lana Fleischli

Nation of Language’s debut album, Introduction, Presence, was released just as we stepped into the pandemic. Since it was their debut, they didn’t really get the time to make a name for themselves based on their first album. According to NME, the band really thought that the live component would make the music make more sense. That sucks! Imagine having to spend so much time working on something that kind of just gets brushed away! 

I’ve finally been able to listen to Introduction, Presence and the first thing I thought of was “New Order --but modern.” Nation of Language uses synths and brings the synth music of the 80’s back with class. 

The difference with Nation of Language and 80’s music is that 80’s music was often masked as happy when it wasn’t. Nation of Language “unmasks” you could say (how ironic). Just by hearing the music and what is being sung, you can hear pain. 

This really stuck out to me on “On Division Street.” When Ian Richard Devaney sings “I would like to find the answers,” there’s a moaning quality to it. A pain in his voice. They aren’t trying to cover up the pain, or pretend at all.

The same idea comes through in “The Wall & I.” Nation of Language uses a lot of imagery and metaphor. The “wall” is probably not just a wall, but a metaphor for an impediment, a block in the road, a challenge. “I stared up the wall and he said ‘I don't know' is not an answer to the question.’” This line stands out to me. Devaney sings about confronting challenges but having no idea how to get around them. 

Sometimes it feels like we are told that music and art as a whole is meant to inspire us to be better, but that’s as if you are assuming that the artist isn’t just as lost as we are. We are all lost and Nation of Language writes about that in Introduction, Presence. We all struggle and it’s important to highlight that everyone hits roadblocks, and hopefully we all figure it out.