Nation of Language released the upbeat single “A Different Kind of Life” last week. Proving they’re staying busy in pandemic times soon after their debut album in May and continuing to broaden their horizons following their cover of Pixies’ “Gouge Away” back in August. The track explores a fun and optimistic take on their established synth heavy new-wave sound. Originally born out of Trump’s presidency, “A Different Kind of Life” has a newfound meaning during the Coronavirus in featuring a more direct lyrical commentary than previous releases. When discussing with frontman Ian Devaney he said of the track,
“It was written very soon after Trump got elected. My dad sent me the song “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang” by Heaven 17, a fun, synth-pop, Anti-Reagan, political song. Even though it’s talking about terrible political circumstances it’s doing it in a way that, because it’s fun, serves as a way to inspire. So I wanted to write my own version of “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang,” but I was also wanting to write my own version of “In A Big Country” by Big Country. I think those two songs put together sum up what the song is, in a way.”
“A Different Kind of Life” points towards brighter days with a new musical direction for us to dance to until we’re together again. Give it a listen below: