A Way Forward

A Way Forward
Studio album by Nation of Language
Released	November 5, 2021 (2021-11-05)
Genre	Synth-pop post-punk
Length	44:05
Label	PIAS Recordings
Producer	Abe Seiferth Nick Millhiser
Nation of Language chronology
Introduction, Presence (2020) A Way Forward (2021) Strange Disciple (2023)
Singles from A Way Forward
"Across That Fine Line" Released: June 3, 2021 "Wounds of Love" Released: July 8, 2021 "This Fractured Mind" Released: August 5, 2021 "A Word & A Wave" Released: September 9, 2021 "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
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

All 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

Chart performance for A Way Forward

Chart (2022)	Peak position
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [10]	13

References

1. "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 Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 January 2022.

External links

• A Way Forward at Discogs