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Nation of Language
last updated 2026-09-11 11:26
Nation of Language
Plays on LTZ: (historical total not available beyond this vault's episode folders)
Tracks played
Tougher Than the Rest — played 2026-05-07
The Conversation — played 2026-07-15
Research
Nation of Language — Tougher Than the Rest
Played: 2026-05-07 (Segment 7) (TikTok)
New York synth-pop group, signed to Sub Pop Records. "Tougher Than the Rest" is a cover of the Bruce Springsteen track from Tunnel of Love (1987). Released as a limited 7" of 1000 copies worldwide. Nation of Language used a Yamaha CS-80 in the recording — the same synth model used extensively on the original Springsteen sessions. Frontman Ian Devaney grew up in New Jersey surrounded by Springsteen's music, but this particular song somehow slipped past him until a few years ago. The connection to tonight is never announced on air. Placement: opens the final segment — the Springsteen cover angle is the show's second major post-show TikTok revelation, "you know this song, you just don't know it yet."
TikTok angle: "You know this song. You just don't know it yet." Bruce Springsteen wrote Tougher Than the Rest (Tunnel of Love, 1987); Nation of Language covered it this year using a Yamaha CS-80, the same synth model Springsteen used on the original. Frontman Ian Devaney grew up in New Jersey surrounded by Springsteen but missed this song until a few years ago — "it found him anyway." Delivery: full presence on the opening hook, build slowly through the details, deliver the show's "philosophy line" quietly.
Nation of Language — The Conversation
Played: 2026-07-15 (Segment 9) (TikTok)
Nation of Language (formed 2016, Brooklyn: Ian Richard Devaney, Aidan Noell, Alex MacKay) released the standalone single "The Conversation" (2:46) on 7 July 2026 via Sub Pop Records, which they signed to in 2025. Their fourth album and Sub Pop debut, Dance Called Memory, came out 19 September 2025; earlier albums were self-released — Introduction, Presence (2020), A Way Forward (2021) and Strange Disciple (2023, PIAS). Their sound draws on synthpop/new wave, often compared to early-1980s acts.
TikTok angle: Live show hook: praised as a Brooklyn trio whose songs sound like they belong on a John Hughes/Breakfast Club soundtrack, with no bad songs in the catalogue yet, building anticipation for their next record.
Sources: Sub Pop · Pitchfork · Wikipedia
Nation of Language
Origin: Brooklyn, New York, USA · formed 2016 · active
Members: Ian Richard Devaney (lead vocals, guitar, synthesizer, percussion), Aidan Noell (synthesizer, backing vocals), Alex MacKay (bass)
Genre: Synthpop, indie pop, post-punk / new wave revival
Discography:
Introduction, Presence (2020) — self-released
A Way Forward (2021) — self-released
Strange Disciple (2023) — PIAS — topped Rough Trade's 100 Albums of 2023
Dance Called Memory (2025) — Sub Pop — major label debut
Facts:
Devaney started the band after hearing OMD's "Electricity" playing in his father's car — a childhood song that sparked the whole project.
Devaney has also been the vocalist for Machinegum, a side project led by The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti, since 2018.