September Again

Nation of Language’s Introduction, Presence came out in the midst of COVID in May of 2020. This album was one many albums that helped me through those extrememely tumultuous days. It’s also stuck with me as a favorite.

It’s a walk through a foggy dream, much like thinking back to the heady days of 2020.

This song continues to standout for me. Lyrically, it’s melancholy – aging, changing, wait stagnation? fear, longing for the curiosity of another time (seems to be a running theme in NOL). The infectious, upbeat synths and forward moving beats work to somehow even out the whole thing. NOL music is comforting for me, and it’s good to know other people think about the books they continue to revisit and just can’t finish. (I’m looking at you House of Leaves)

A line from that Sunset Rubdown song, “And the days add up to weeks, add up to months, add up to years…” comes to mind. As I age, September Again hits a little harder, when you realize August has indeed ended and it is September Again and in your mind, it feels like the blink of an eye since September ended. So for me, this song is a mile marker passed each year along the backroad I have chosen, no interstate here, it’s all blue skies ahead, but now the cottonwoods will show hints of yellow and I’ll be listing to a little more Nation of Language to welcome the cooler evenings.

Until next time, stay safe out there, and Happy September (Again)