Strange Disciple

Strange Disciple is the third studio album by American synth-pop band Nation of Language, released on September 15,2023 via PIAS. It is their first album since A Way Forward in 2021.

Background
The first single, "Sole Obsession", was released on March 8, 2023. The album was announced on April 13, 2023, with the release of the single "Weak in Your Light". A third single, "Stumbling Still", was released on May 17, 2023. The fourth single, "Too Much, Enough", was released on July 26, 2023. A fifth and final single, "Sightseer", was released on September 11, 2023. According to the band, the album's central theme is "infatuation and how one's reality can be warped by it." The album was produced by Nick Millhiser of Holy Ghost!. It marks the addition of bassist Alex MacKay, following the departure of Michael Sue-Poi.

Reception
Strange Disciple received a score of 78 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on six critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception. Erica Campbell of NME said, "With their third album, Nation Of Language prove their able to stretch their auditory imagination, all while sticking to their roots." Similarly, AllMusic's Marcy Donelson writes how the band "adhere strictly to a core timbral palette and, at least so far, always sound like themselves." Reviewing the album for Pitchfork, Hattie Lindert called the album "another achievement in economy, a project that looks to the sound of new wave as a springboard, not a textbook, and lets small touches shine".

Personnel
Nation of Language
 * Ian Richard Devaney – vocals, synthesizer, bass, guitar, layout
 * Aidan Noell – synthesizer, vocals, layout
 * Alex MacKay – bass, vocals, layout

Additional contributors
 * Nick Millhiser – production, mixing, synthesizer, drums
 * Heba Kadry – mastering
 * Noah Rubin – drums
 * Christian Little – cover artwork
 * Allyson Leigh Peck – layout