Sub Pop Records is extremely proud to announce the return (for our 20th year!) of the Sub Pop Loser Scholarship. Further details on the scholarship are below, and even further below is some clarification on what we mean with all this “Loser” business.
Sub Pop Records is offering a grand total of $18,000 in college scholarship money to three eligible high school seniors. There are three scholarships—each for $6,000! As longtime, proud losers ourselves, we’re exceedingly happy to be able, in some small way, to help further the education of art-enthused misfits from the NW. Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be residents of Washington, Idaho or Oregon, and graduating seniors on the way to full-time enrollment at an accredited university or college. We are looking for applicants who are involved and/or interested in music and/or creative media and arts in some way. However, you do not need to be pursuing an education in the arts.
To apply: you must submit an essay, one page or less, using any combination of the following questions as a guide (or write something completely your own, be inspired and creative!). Please list the school you are graduating from and the school you plan to attend in the fall at the top of your essay along with your contact information.
- What are you doing in the arts/music field in your community?
- What does being a Sub Pop ‘Loser’ mean to you?
- What are your influences and/or who inspired you to become involved in the arts?
- Describe your biggest failure and explain how it has brought you closer to your goal(s).
- Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.
- How has your family or community background affected the way you see the world?
- Why should you be the Loser winner?
Applicants are strongly (!) encouraged to send digital links and/or provide hard copies of their artwork, photos of community involvement, radio show links, videos, etc. along with their essay (we have never had a winner who submitted only an essay w/no extras). However, please be aware that Sub Pop will not return any of this material, so please don’t send originals. Sub Pop will give equal opportunity to all applicants who fit the criteria outlined above.
The deadline for applications is Monday, March 16th, 2026.
Please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by Monday, March 16th. We will announce the scholarship winners during the first week of April.
What we talk about when we talk about “Loser.”
Here at Sub Pop Records, we use the word “loser” a lot. You may have noticed. We’ve printed it on things we sell (hats, shirts, stickers, mugs, and more!), we call the first, colored-vinyl, limited-edition pressings of the records we release the “Loser Edition,” and every year since 2007 ish we’ve awarded tuition money to college-bound NW high school students through the “Sub Pop Loser Scholarship.” And, it’s possible we take for granted that you guys catch our drift and understand what we mean when we’re all “loser this,” and “loser that.” So! The following…
Sub Pop’s use of the word “loser” goes back to the foundation of the label and is meant as a celebration of unabashedly being ourselves without conforming to any preconceived ideas of “normal.” To be a loser is central to the very idea of underground art and culture - all of it happening and thriving outside of the mainstream, and not necessarily looking for a way in. Bruce Pavitt’s “New Pop Manifesto” in the 1st issue of Subterranean Pop included, “The important thing to remember is this: the most intense music, the most original ideas… are coming out of scenes you don’t even know exist… Only by supporting new ideas by local artists, bands, and record labels can the U.S. expect any kind of dynamic social/cultural change…” And, since 2007 or so, with the Loser Scholarship, we’ve been adding students to that list, and putting our (or, our co-founder, big boss and biggest loser ever, Jonathan Poneman’s…) money where our mouth is. Sub Pop Records strives to bring attention to music and art from the fringes that might otherwise remain marginalized. And, in that same spirit, through our annual Loser Scholarship, we’re looking for art-enthused misfits in NW high schools, losers like us, to help them pay for college. We stand proudly with and support the misfits, weirdos and losers, because we believe that when we’re able to proudly be nothing other than our true selves, we have the ability to make the world stronger, smarter and better.
So, good luck, Losers! And, again, please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by Monday, March 16th.
“This album is potent yet delicate, waterbaby’s voice serene, almost angelic.” - [COVER STORY] NME
On Friday, March 6th, waterbaby will release her debut full-length, Memory Be a Blade, on CD/LP/DSPs worldwide from Sub Pop. The 8-track long player features the songs “Amiss”, “Beck n Call”, and the album’s title track, which The New York Times says, “With its gentle percussion, trembling strings and sweet, cooed harmonies, the song has the intimate, handmade quality of a scrapbook.”
Today, you can hear Memory Be a Blade’s newest offering, the blissful electro-acoustic track, “Clay (feat. ttoh)”, and by watching its official video, directed by waterbaby and Levi Axene.
waterbaby has confirmed new UK & EU headline dates for 2026 in support of Memory Be a Blade. These shows will begin on March 19th in Gothenburg, Sweden, along with dates in Stockholm, London, Paris, and Berlin. Additional live shows to be announced soon. See below for a current list of shows.
Thu. Mar. 19 Gothenburg, SE - Nefertiti Fri. Mar. 20 Lund, SE - Mejeriet Sat. Mar. 21 Linköping, SE - Babettes Sun. Apr. 12 Stockholm, SE - Södra Teatern Wed. Apr. 15 London, UK - The Lower Third Thu. Apr. 16 Paris, FR - Popup! Fri. Apr. 17 Rotterdam, NL - MOMO Sun. Apr. 19 Berlin, DE - Frannz
On waterbaby’s Memory Be a Blade, the Stockholm, Sweden-born singer-songwriter’s first album for Sub Pop, the nostalgia runs deep. Her follow-up to the acclaimed 2023 EP Foam, Memory… is darker, richer, and more personal than ever. She wanted her lyrics to dig deeper and evolve her writing forward, something she accomplishes stunningly across the eight-track project.
To spark inspiration for her new lyrics, waterbaby reflected on a past break-up. She had moved on and was seeing someone new while recording the album. But when the newer relationship ended, she witnessed how much the album took on a new meaning to reflect the heartbreak she hadn’t anticipated experiencing.
“Many of the songs came to mean very different things than what I had thought when writing them in the first place,” waterbaby admits.
In the two years following Foam, waterbaby and her primary collaborator, Marcus White, took their time to get the album right. They wrote and recorded around Stockholm, the south of Sweden, and even Los Angeles. As it took shape, however, waterbaby began to notice how much she would stiffen up behind the microphone. She admits she gets quite shy in the studio, opting for the familiarity of people like White to stay by her side. But in order to take her words and sound deeper, White encouraged her to improvise what she sang instead of writing it out ahead of time.
Her improvisations were paired with compositions that reflected waterbaby’s classical background. White played piano alongside his lush and ethereal arrangements of string and horn parts. Musicians like violinist Oliva Lundberg, cellists Filip Lundberg and Kristina Winiarski, saxophonist Sebastian Mattebo, trombonist Hannes Falk Junestav, and flutist Pelle Westlin round out the dreamy ensemble (read more at Sub Pop).
What people are saying about waterbaby: “An unguarded DIY R&B moment coming out of the Swedish capital.” - The FADER
“A real jewel, a thrilling and evocative slice of future-facing pop” - CLASH
“worth a few hundred plays.” - Loud and Quiet
“the Swedish artist’s knack for instant classics is no accident” - DIY
“waterbaby’s writing feels both fragile and fearless, cementing her status as one of alt-pop’s most quietly devastating new voices.” - Wonderland
“beautiful” - Notion
Memory Be a Blade is now available to preorder on CD/LP/all DSPs from Sub Pop. LPs purchased from megamart.subpop.com, MegaMart Europe in the UK + EU, and your local record store will receive the limited Loser Edition on Cosmic Berry (NA) and Pearl / Arctic (UK/EU) vinyl while supplies last.
waterbaby Memory Be a Blade
Track Listing: 1. Sink 2. Memory Be a Blade 3. Clay 4. Beck n Call 5. Minnie 6. Minnie Too 7. Amiss 8. Srs Ice
Today is Friday, February 6th, 2026, and you can now hear Oklahoma City noise-rock powerhouse Chat Pile’s two new studio tracks: the original titled “Masks,” and the other a burly reimagining of the early Nirvana song “Sifting.” The songs are from the band’s now sold-out, limited-edition 7” Sub Pop single announced late last year.
Physical media collectors don’t fret - you still have a chance to grab the tour-only version pressed on peach vinyl available at Chat Pile’s live shows. There is also a sick new collaborative logo T-shirt that is still available (7” Single and T-shirt, available while supplies last!).
Sub Pop is thrilled that Chat Pile graced us with these two massive songs, and we couldn’t be happier to add them to the list of greats who have released music for the label. The band kindly shared their perspective on this release, so we’ll let them elaborate further:
“It’s a true dream to put out a single on Sub Pop, and our new song ‘Masks’ hopefully honors the spirit of the mythical, sometimes mystical, city of Seattle. Thanks in part to the movie Hype, we have long been obsessed with Seattle, the American underground of the late ‘80s, and Sub Pop and their tools of world domination. Everything we learned about packaging Chat Pile, we learned from Sub Pop co-founders Jonathan Poneman and Bruce Pavitt.
“We wanted to cover a song from the early Sub Pop era, and something off Bleach seemed the obvious choice. Songs like ‘Paper Cuts,’ ‘Negative Creep,’ and especially ‘Sifting’ are fairly lateral to the type of sounds we make with Chat Pile. (Perhaps next time we’ll take on a TAD song!)
“To mark the occasion, we’ve also donated $3,000 to DREAM Action OK, a community-based organization that aims to empower our local immigrant community through advocacy and education to ensure justice for all immigrants. Learn more about DAOK here.
Thanks to Sub Pop for giving us the opportunity to put this single out - we hope you enjoy it.
“And most importantly, FUCK ICE!”
Chat Pile On Tour Thu. Aug. 06 - Ancora, PT - Sonic Blast Festival Sat. Aug. 08 - Katowice, PL - OFF Festival Fri. Aug. 14 - Col Du Lein, CH - Palp Festival Sat. Aug. 22 - Bristol, UK - Arctangent Festival
Iron & Wine today shares a new single and official video for “Roses,” the latest offering from their forthcoming album Hen’s Teeth, out worldwide Friday, February 27th, from Sub Pop.
Directed and animated by noted animation artist Gaia Alari, this fully hand-drawn animation follows the song as two characters chase each other through a dark river, a forest, and a garden in the sky. Click here to watch.
Iron & Wine will begin a WORLD tour later this month in Australia & New Zealand, with headline dates in North America, running from April to May, and newly announced dates in October. See below for a complete list of shows. Tickets can be purchased here.
Australia & New Zealand Sat. Feb. 28 - Perth, AU - The Rechabite * Mon. Mar. 02 - Brisbane, AU - The Princess Theatre * Wed. Mar. 04 - Sydney, AU - City Recital Hall * Fri. Mar. 06 - Adelaide, AU - WOMADelaide * Sat. Mar. 07 - Port Fairy, AU - Port Fairy Folk Festival Sun. Mar 08 - Port Fairy, AU - Port Fairy Folk Festival Tue. Mar. 10 - Melbourne, AU - Northcote Theatre * Thu. Mar. 12 - Hobart, AU - Odeon Theatre * Sat. Mar. 14 - Auckland, NZ - Powerstation * Sun. Mar - 15, Wellington, NZ - Meow Nui *
North America Tue. Mar. 17 - Honolulu, HI - The Hawaii Theatre ^ Wed. Mar. 18 - Kahului, HI - Maui Arts & Cultural Center Castle Theater ^ Mon. Apr. 27th - St Louis, MO - The Pageant @ Tue. Apr. 28th - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note @ Wed. Apr. 29th - Omaha, NE - Astro Theater @ Fri. May 01 - Saint Paul, MN - Fitzgerald Theater @ Sat. May 02 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom @ Sun. May 03 - Iowa City, IA - The Englert Theatre @ Tue. May 05 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall @ Wed. May 06 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall @ Fri. May 08 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater @ Sat. May 09 - Niagara Falls, CA - The Avalon Theatre at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort @ Sun. May 10 - Albany, NY - The Egg @ Mon. May 11 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer @ Wed. May 13 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel @ Thu. May 14 - Washington, D.C. - 9:30 Club @ Fri. May 15 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa @ Sat. May 16 - Saxapahaw, NC - Haw River Ballroom @ Sun. May 17 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle @ Thu. Oct 8 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre ! Fri. Oct 9 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot ! Sat. Oct 10 - Boise, ID - Treefort Music Hall ! Mon. Oct 12 - Portland, OR - Revolution Hall ! Tue. Oct 13 - Seattle, WA - The 5th Avenue Theatre ! Thu. Oct 15 - Astoria, OR - Liberty Theatre ! Fri. Oct 16 - San Francisco, CA - The Castro ! Sat. Oct 17 - Los Angeles, CA - TBA ! Sun. Oct 18 - Los Angeles, CA - TBA % Tue. Oct 20 - El Cajon, CA - The Magnolia % Wed. Oct 21 - Tucson, AZ - La Rosa % Fri. Oct 23 - San Antonio, TX - Stable Hall % Sat. Oct 24 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre % Sun. Oct 25 - Tulsa, OK - Guthrie Green ! % Tue. Oct 27 - Memphis, TN - TBA % Wed. Oct 28 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern Thu. Oct 29 - Columbia, SC - The Senate %
*with Leah Senior ^ with Jenny Yim @ with Improvement Movement ! with Ken Pomeroy % with DUG
Hen’s Teeth is now available to preorder on CD/LP/all DSPs from Sub Pop. LPs purchased from megamart.subpop.com, MegaMart Europe in the UK + EU, and your local record store, will receive the limited Loser Edition on Transparent White (NA), Oxblood (UK/EU), and Australia/New Zealand (White) while supplies last.
Iron & Wine Hen’s Teeth
Track Listing: 1. Roses 2. Paper and Stone 3. Robin’s Egg (feat. I’m With Her) 4. Singing Saw 5. In Your Ocean 6. Defiance, Ohio 7. Wait Up (feat. I’m With Her) 8. Grace Notes 9. Dates and Dead People 10. Half Measures
On Friday, May 1st, Weird Nightmare will release Hoopla, the engaging and melodic second LP from former METZ frontman Alex Edkins.
Every band worth its salt has a member who worked in a record store. In METZ, the fearless noise rock trio who released five full-length albums on Sub Pop between 2012 and 2024, it was singer and guitarist Alex Edkins. Slinging indie rock and hardcore records in his hometown record store while attending university, Edkins became an ardent student of rock ‘n’ roll; from the psychedelic 1960s to the DIY 1990s and beyond. The new Weird Nightmare album Hoopla, mixes and matches these wide-ranging influences in fun, exhilarating combinations, showcasing his sophisticated musical mind. Bursting to life with hooks and earworms.
Co-produced by Edkins and Spoon’s Jim Eno at Seth Manchester’s Machines With Magnets in Providence, RI. Edkins expands Weird Nightmare’s dimensions to new heights, gilding the direct emotions of his straightforward songwriting with musical textures such as piano, bells, and castanets, giving these well-wrought tunes a shiny luster.
Following the previously released single “Forever Elsewhere,” which Stereogum called “… an undeniably infectious power-pop anthem”, Weird Nightmare has shared an official video for their new song, “Might See You There,” which was directed by CC Mulligan.
Edkins shares about the track: “‘Might See You There’ is about going back to visit my hometown and being flooded with teenage nostalgia. Small-town boredom and isolation almost feel like a gift in today’s highly connected world. I feel fortunate for that time spent idly, down in the basement, learning the entire Rancid “Let’s Go” album on guitar with my friends. I find it easy to romanticise that time in my life, even though I was, without question, a disgruntled kid who badly wanted to escape my surroundings and see the world.
“I was listening to a lot of the Irish bands The Undertones and Protex while writing this one, and I think there is a fair bit of their influence. Just the simplicity and big bar chords mostly. Seth Manchester and I were very into the idea of adding piano and bells to the outro, akin to the Phil Spector-produced “End of the Century” album by The Ramones. The great Julianna Riolino sings with me on the choruses, too!”
Weird Nightmare is also announcing North American, UK and European headline dates beginning on April 14th in San Diego, with festival appearances at the Soundscape NW Festival in Portland, on April 28th with labelmates Bully, and a 5-date Canadian run in June with Wintersleep. Additional live dates will be announced soon.
Fri. Apr. 24 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar Sat. Apr. 25 - Los Angeles, CA - Gold Diggers ^ Sun. Apr. 26 - Oakland, CA - Thee Stork Club ^ Tue. Apr. 28 - Portland, OR - Soundscape NW Festival * Wed. Apr. 29 - Seattle, WA - Baba Yaga Fri. May 01 - Toronto, ON - Sonic Boom in-store Sun. May 03 - Brantford, ON - zBTFD in-store Tue. May 12 - Kingston, ON - Broom Factory Wed. May 13 - Montreal, PQ - Bar le Ritz Sat. May 16 - Halifax, NS - Marquee Ballroom # Wed. Jun. 17 - London, ON - London Music Hall # Thu. Jun. 18 - Hamilton, ON - Bridgeworks # Fri. Jun. 19 - Toronto, ON - Masonic Temple # Sat. Jun. 20 - Ottawa, ON - The Bronson # Wed. Jun. 24 - Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall Thu. Jun. 25 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd Fri. Jun. 26 - Philadelphia, PA - Ortlieb’s Sat. Jun. 27 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool Sun. Jun. 28 - Medford, MA - Deep Cuts Fri. Aug. 28 - Malaga, ES - Canela Party Festival Wed. Sep. 2 - Glasgow, UK - Hug & Pint Thu. Sep. 3 - Birmingham, UK - Hare & Hounds Sat. Sep. 5 - London, UK - The Lexington Sun. Sep. 6 - Rotterdam, NL - Rotown Tue. Sep. 8 - Berlin, DE - Urban Spree Wed. Sep. 9 - Koln, DE - Bumann Thu. Sep. 10 - Paris, FR - Point Ephemere Fri. Sep. 11 - Lille, FR- Aeronef Sun. Sep. 13 Asten, NL - Misty Fields Festival
* with Bully ^ with Mrs. Magician # with Wintersleep
Hoopla is now available for preorder on CD/LP/all DSPs worldwide from Sub Pop and in Canada from Dine Alone. LP preorders in the US through Sub Pop Mega Mart will receive the limited Loser Edition on Emerald Green-Blue vinyl; preorders through Mega Mart Europe will receive the Loser Edition on Transparent Orange (UK/EU). The Canadian exclusive will be available on Orange/Blue/White Solar Flare from Dine Alone. The limited Loser Editions will also be available at your local record store (All limited vinyl colors available while stock lasts!).
What people have said about Weird Nightmare: “Weird Nightmare is all about hooks and melody. Still delivered with levels in the red, but these are ultracatchy powerpop songs first and foremost, and really good ones at that.” - Brooklyn Vegan
“The debut Weird Nightmare album from METZ guitarist/vocalist Alex Edkins is a hook-filled set of blown-out power-pop with distorted guitars, punchy rhythms and bright pop melodies.” - KEXP
“Alex Edkins finally lets those melodies loose, resulting in an irresistibly euphoric blast of feedback spattered garage-pop that is just what the doctor ordered to chase away any lingering post-lockdown blues.’” - The Quietus
“All chiming chords and smart harmonies, Wrecked is a boisterous ode to ’90s indie-rock and everything that followed.” - [“Wrecked”] Guitar World
US LOSER
Weird Nightmare Hoopla
Tracklisting: 1. Headful of Rain 2. Might See You There 3. Baby Don’t 4. Forever Elsewhere 5. Never in Style 6. Pay No Mind 7. If You Should Turn Away 8. Little Strange 9. Bright City Lights (ft. Julianna Riolino) 10. Where I Belong
Today, Wednesday, January 28th, Nation of Language is sharing a new rework of Dance Called Memory’s lead single “Inept Apollo” by UK artist Tom Sharkett of the band W.H. Lung. This rework takes the song’s new wave origins, ups the BPM and the funk, and turns it into an even more danceable sibling.
Nation of Language’s Ian Devaney has this to say on the track, “We’re big fans of WH Lung, as well as Tom’s excellent recent LCD Soundsystem rework, so we were super excited when he reached out saying he wanted to take a crack at a new mix of ‘Inept Apollo.’ Our initial enthusiasm only grew when we received the end product a couple months later and were able to test it out in a club environment a few times. Can confidently report it sounds fantastic in a loud and crowded room. Here’s hoping it sees its way to a few dance floors in 2026.”
Sharkett offers this on the remix, “I had an affinity with Nation of Language as soon as I heard their music. It felt like it came from the same place as the music I was making myself and with W. H. Lung, and the more of their music I heard, the more I felt it. It was hard initially to find a way in with remixing “Inept Apollo,” as I loved the original so much. I knew I wanted to nod to the connection between NYC and Manchester started by the artists and DJs I feel we both love, without even having to name check them. It had to be wonky, and it had to be loose and lively. Hope you enjoy!”
Nation of Language has also announced new 2026 international headlining, festival, and support dates. Their current tour schedule spans Sunday, February 15th in Monterrey, MX at Foro Tims through Thursday, August 27 - Saturday, August 29 for the Canela Party weekender in Málaga, ES.
Highlights for this announcement include headlining shows in Guadalajara (Feb. 15th), Mexico City (Feb. 17th), and Tokyo, Japan (Mar. 31st); European Summer festival appearances at Primavera Sound Porto (Jun. 11th), AboutPop in Stuttgart, DE (Jun. 12th), Best Kept Secret Festival in the Netherlands (Jun. 13th), B-Sides Festival in Lucerne, CH (Jun. 18th), Release Athens x SNF Nostos Festival in Greece (Jun. 21st), La Prima Estate Festival in Camaiore, IT (Jun. 27th); And a direct support slot opening for Death Cab for Cutie in the US Midwest and Southwestern US (July 23rd-August 4th). Additional live dates to be announced soon. For information on tour dates, please visit https://www.nationoflanguage.com.
2026 Tour Dates Sun. Feb. 15 - Monterrey, MX - Foro Tims Tue. Feb. 17 - Guadalajara, MX - C3 Rooftop Thu. Feb. 19 - Mexico City, MX - Foro Indie Rocks! - Sala Tue. Mar. 31 - Tokyo, JP - Space Odd Thu. Jun. 11 - Porto, PT - Primavera Sound Porto Parque Da Cidade Fri. Jun. 12 - Stuttgart, DE - AboutPop Festival Sat. Jun. 13 - Hilvarenbeek, NL - Best Kept Secret Festival Thu. Jun. 18 - Lucerne, CH - B-Sides Festival Sun. Jun. 21 - Athens, GR - Release Athens x SNF Nostos Festival Sat. Jun. 27 - Camaiore, IT - La Prima Estate Festival Fri. Jul. 24 - St. Louis, MO - Stifel Theatre # Sat. Jul. 25 - Bentonville, AR - The Momentary # Sun. Jul. 26 - Council Bluffs, IA - Harrah’s Stir Cove # Wed. Jul. 29 - Sandy, UT - Sandy Amphitheater # Fri. Jul. 31 - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Financial Theatre # Sun. Aug. 02 - Los Angeles, CA - The Greek Theatre # Mon. Aug. 03 - Los Angeles, CA - The Greek Theatre # Tue. Aug. 04 - San Diego, CA - Gallagher Square at Petco Park # Thu. Aug. 27 - Sat. Aug. 29 - Málaga, ES - Canela Party
# supporting Death Cab for Cutie
Dance Called Memory is out now worldwide from Sub Pop. The 10-track album features the Billboard Top 30 AAA radio singles “Inept Apollo” and “I’m Not Ready For The Change,” and was recorded, produced, and mixed by returning producer and collaborator Nick Millhiser in New York City and mastered by Heba Kadry in Brooklyn. Dance Called Memory also hit the Top 5 on the NACC 200 College Radio Chart.
Dance Called Memory also saw Nation of Language receive “Best Albums and Singles of 2025” coverage from the likes of Antics Magazine (+ Artist of the Year print cover), KCRW (Albums & Songs List, “Inept Apollo”), Rough Trade Records, Under the Radar, Magnet, PopMatters, and Treble Zine (Songs of the Year, “In Another Life”).
Nation of Language’s 51-date, 2025 international headlining tour to support Dance Called Memory was the band’s most successful touring run to date. The tour sold over 40k tickets with sold-out shows in New York, DC, Chicago, Vancouver (BC), Seattle, Portland, San Diego, Austin, San Francisco, Kansas City, Dublin, Munich, Lisbon, Paris, and London.
What People Are Saying About Nation of Language’s Dance Called Memory: On Dance Called Memory, you won’t find a more gorgeous format of synth-heavy post-punk in any city between the Atlantic and Pacific O’s. The Brooklyn trio portion out plenty of dance floor candy, but also take a turn for the mellow on tracks like “Can You Reach Me?” and “Nights of Weight.” Thankfully, frontman Ian Richard Devaney continues to write songs for the end credits of John Hughes movies that were never made; singing “Darling, don’t forget my love” at the end of “Inept Apollo,” he extends his vocal range for maximum capital-Y Yearning. Epically sincere; sincerely epic.” [“Best Albums of 2025”] Antics Magazine
“Their fourth album, Dance Called Memory, though, is the one where the songs make an undeniable case for themselves. Shearing off some distracting tendencies and adding subtle new twists like shoegaze-inspired guitar, Nation of Language refine their sound and play to their strengths, never more so than on the resplendently uplifting “Inept Apollo” [“The 80 Best Albums of 2025”] PopMatters
“The real deal…” ★★★★ MOJO
“The band’s fourth LP and Sub Pop debut is danceable, eccentric, and immaculate at once…” ★★★★ All Music
“For Dance Called Memory, the trio — Devaney, his wife and right-hand synth wizard Aidan Noell, and bassist Alex MacKay — once more teamed with LCD Soundsystem/Holy Ghost! member Nick Millhiser as producer. Together, the crew pushed the edges of NOL’s sound, creating something expansive enough to capture the weight of grief and loss that coursed through these new songs.” Stereogum
“Dance Called Memory, continues its study of synth-pop from the late 1970s and early ’80s. The new record adds more guitars to the mix, tempering the machine-made with a human touch.” New York Times
“It’s a fuzzy electronic project that’s both introspective and danceable, with flanged New Order–styled guitar parts sprinkled in to give their sound a refreshed feel.” FLOOD
“Ian Devaney’s Vulnerability Pays Off On Nation of Language’s Dance Called Memory.” 8.0/10, PASTE
“If there were a Nation of Language album that lifts the band onto the next rung of the pop culture ladder, beyond indie notoriety, it deserves to be this one.” “Best Albums of September,” Consequence
“entwined with beauty as much as melancholy.” Our Culture
★★★★ Live4ever
“an assured evolution” ★★★★ ½ Indie is Not a Genre
“A resounding triumph” When The Horn Blows
“another stellar record from Nation of Language” ★★★★ Stereoboard
“this Brooklyn outfit’s gleaming spirit continues to be a northern star” Electronic Sound
“a band that has the songs (and the heart) to cross the pop threshold if they choose.” The Line of Best Fit
