News
This September and October with Support from Lucius
Feb 26, 2024
By Mark Redfern
Two titans of dad-rock, The National and The War on Drugs, have announced a joint tour they have dubbed the “Zen Diagram Tour.” Lucius will be the opener on all but one date. More
Plus bar Italia, The National, Wings of Desire, CHAI, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Sep 22, 2023
By Mark Redfern (with Andy Von Pip and Caleb Campbell)
Welcome to the 30th Songs of the Week of 2023. This week Andy Von Pip, Caleb Campbell, Marc Abbott, Scott Dransfield, and Stephen Humphires all helped me decide what should make the list and we settled on a Top 13. More
Laugh Track Out Now via 4AD and Features Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, and Rosanne Cash
Sep 18, 2023
By Mark Redfern
The National have surprise-released a new album, Laugh Track. It’s the band’s second album of 2023, following the April release of First Two Pages of Frankenstein, and is out now digitally via 4AD. The album features Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, and Rosanne Cash. Stream it here. More
Plus Kevin Drew, Wings of Desire, Modern Nature, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks (Also a Bonus Mix of the Best Songs of the Last Month)
Aug 18, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to the 25th Songs of the Week of 2023. Songs of the Week was on hiatus for the last month because Wendy and I were on a much needed vacation to England and Iceland. I received several reader emails worried we had killed Songs of the Week, but have no worries, it’s back. As well as a regular Songs of the Week, we have put together an additional Spotify playlist featuring all the songs we also liked while Songs of the Week was taking a break. More
First Two Pages of Frankenstein Out Now via 4AD
Aug 17, 2023
By Mark Redfern
The National have shared two new songs, “Alphabet City” and “Space Invader.” They follow the April release of the band’s latest album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, and are out now via 4AD. More
First Two Pages of Frankenstein Out Today via 4AD; Watch Them Perform “Eucalyptus” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Apr 28, 2023
By Mark Redfern
The National have released a new album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, today via 4AD. Now they have shared a lyric video for album’s biggest collaboration, “The Alcott,” which is a duet with Taylor Swift. Last night they also performed the album’s third single, “Eucalyptus,” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Plus you can stream the whole album here and read our review of it. More
First Two Pages of Frankenstein Due Out April 28 via 4AD
Apr 12, 2023
By Mark Redfern
The National are releasing a new album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, on April 28 via 4AD. Now they have shared its fourth single, “Your Mind is Not Your Friend,” which features guest vocals by Phoebe Bridgers. It was shared via a music video directed by Jackson Bridgers (Phoebe’s brother) and co-starring Tom Berninger (brother of frontman Matt Berninger). More
First Two Pages of Frankenstein Due Out April 28 via 4AD
Mar 22, 2023
By Mark Redfern
The National are releasing a new album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, on April 28 via 4AD.Now they have shared its third single, “Eucalyptus,” via a music video. More
Plus Lost Under Heaven, Frankie Rose, Gruff Rhys, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Feb 24, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to the eighth Songs of the Week of 2023. Thanks in part to the Presidents Day holiday on Monday, the week was light on big album announcements, but there were still enough worthy songs to pick from. More
First Two Pages of Frankenstein Due Out April 28 via 4AD
Feb 23, 2023
By Mark Redfern
The National are releasing a new album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, on April 28 via 4AD. Now they have shared its second single, “New Order T-Shirt.” They are also selling New Order T-shirts on their website. More
Plus The National, Wednesday, Braids, Murray A. Lightburn, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Jan 20, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to the third Songs of the Week of 2023. It was a stacked week for new songs and album announcements. Boygenius alone released three songs to consider! There were enough tracks we liked that we settled on a super-sized Top 13 this week. More
First Two Pages of Frankenstein Also Features Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens and is Due Out April 28 via 4AD; Tour Dates Also Announced
Jan 18, 2023
By Mark Redfern
The National have announced a new album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, that features Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, and Sufjans Stevens, and shared its first single, “Tropic Morning News.” They have also announced some tour dates. More
NEU! 50! Box Set Due Out September 23 via Grönland
Aug 31, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Krautrock legends NEU! (Michael Rother and Klaus Dinger) are releasing NEU! 50!, a 50th anniversary box set, on September 23 via Grönland. Now they have shared a remix of “Im Glück” by The National. More
Aug 22, 2022
By Joey Arnone
The National have shared a new single, “Weird Goodbyes,” a collaboration with Bon Iver (the project led by Justin Vernon). The single features strings by the London Contemporary Orchestra as orchestrated by The National’s Bryce Dessner, and is out now via 4AD. More
Hysteria Due Out October 7 via Sacred Bones
Aug 16, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Australian artist Indigo Sparke has shared a video for her new single, “Blue.” It is the latest release from her forthcoming album, Hysteria, which will be released on October 7 via Sacred Bones. Sparke has also announced tour dates with The National and Aoife Nessa Frances. More
Supporting Acts Will Be Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, and Bartees Strange
Mar 29, 2022
By Joey Arnone
The National have announced a North American tour. The supporting acts will be Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, and Bartees Strange. Tickets go on sale this Friday (Apr. 1) at 10 a.m. local time, and $1 from each ticket will benefit the PLUS1 Ukraine Relief Fund. More
Festival Will Take Place July 15–17 at Chicago’s Union Park; Tickets Go On Sale This Friday
Mar 08, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Pitchfork Music Festival has announced their 2022 lineup. The National, Mitski, and The Roots will be headlining. Other acts include Spiritualized, Parquet Courts, Dawn Richard, Indigo De Souza, SPELLLING, Camp Cope, Wiki, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, Low, Magdalena Bay, Dry Cleaning, Toro y Moi, and Cate Le Bon, among others. The festival will take place from July 15–17 at Union Park in Chicago. Tickets will go on sale this Friday (March 11) at 10 a.m. CST. More
From the Soundtrack to the Upcoming Film Cyrano
Dec 03, 2021
By Joey Arnone
The National have shared a new single, “Somebody Desperate.” The release marks the band’s first new music since 2019, and it is featured on the soundtrack to the upcoming film Cyrano, which was scored by band members Bryce and Aaron Dessner. More
Cyrano Soundtrack Due Out December 10 via Decca
Dec 01, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Peter Dinklage was the musical guest last night on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, where he was backed by Bryce and Aaron Dessner of The National on guitar. They performed “Your Name,” a song featured in the upcoming musical Cyrano, which stars Dinklage and was scored by the Dessner twins. More
Soundtrack Due Out December 10, First Single Out This Friday
Oct 06, 2021
By Joey Arnone
A new trailer has been released for the upcoming Joe Wright film Cyrano, a musical adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac which features original music by The National. The upcoming film’s score was written by Aaron and Bryce Dessner, with lyrics by Matt Berninger and his wife Carin Besser. An accompanying soundtrack will be out on December 10 via Decca, and its first single, “Someone To Say,” is set to be released this Friday (October 8). More
How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? Due Out August 27 via 37d03d; Album Features Fleet Foxes, Taylor Swift, Sharon Van Etten, and More
Jun 29, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Big Red Machine (aka Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and The National’s Aaron Dessner) have announced a new album, How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?, and shared its first single, “Latter Days,” which features guest vocals from Anaïs Mitchell. The album also features Fleet Foxes, Taylor Swift, Sharon Van Etten, This Is the Kit, and others. More
epic Ten Due Out April 16 on Ba Da Bing and to Feature Extra Album of Covers by Other Artists
Mar 04, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Sharon Van Etten has announced a new anniversary double album, epic Ten, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her album epic. It will include the original album plus a new album which features covers of songs from the original done by artists whom Van Etten admires, including Fiona Apple, Big Red Machine (Aaron Dessner of The National and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver), IDLES, Courtney Barnett, Shamir, and more. She has shared the first song from the album, Big Red Machine’s cover of “A Crime,” and will be sharing a new cover from the album every Thursday leading up to its release date of April 16. More
Plus Ian Daniel Kehoe, Adrian Younge, Lost Horizons, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Feb 19, 2021
By Mark Redfern (with Joey Arnone)
Welcome to the sixth Songs of the Week of 2021. There was finally some good news this week. We landed on Mars! On Thursday NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully landed on the red planet, a tricky engineering feat, to answer David Bowie’s question: “Is there life on Mars?” More
Serpentine Prison (Deluxe Edition) Due Out March 12 via Book/Concord
Feb 19, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Matt Berninger of The National released his debut solo album, Serpentine Prison, last October via Book, Berninger’s new imprint with Concord. Now he has announced a new deluxe edition of the album that includes six bonus tracks (four covers and two originals) and shared one of those extra tracks, “Let It Be,” which is an original song and not a Beatles cover. More
Sixty Summers Will Be Out April 16 via BMG
Jan 29, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Julia Stone has shared a video for her new song “We All Have,” which features Matt Berninger of The National. The video was directed by Gabriel Gasparinatos, and features his cousin Jesse, a second-generation Abalone diver. Stone’s forthcoming album, Sixty Summers, will be out on April 16 via BMG. More
evermore Just Announced Yesterday; Also Watch Lyric Videos for Every Song on the Album
Dec 11, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Yesterday Taylor Swift announced that she would be releasing her second album of the year, evermore, at midnight. Now that the album’s out you can stream the whole thing here. She has also shared a video for the album’s opening track, as well as lyric videos for each song on the album. Evermore is the sister album to July’s folklore and features guest appearances by HAIM, Bon Iver, and The National. More
evermore Will Feature HAIM, Bon Iver, and The National
Dec 10, 2020
By Joey Arnone
Taylor Swift will be dropping her second album of the year, evermore, tonight (Dec. 10) at midnight EST. Evermore, the sister album to July’s folklore, will feature guest appearances by HAIM, Bon Iver, and The National, as well as contributions by folklore collaborators Aaron Dessner (frontman of The National), Jack Antonoff, William Bowery (aka Swift’s actor boyfriend Joe Alwyn), and Justin Vernon (frontman of Bon Iver). More
Includes Their Self-Titled Debut, Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, and Cherry Tree EP
Nov 24, 2020
By Joey Arnone
The National are putting out remastered reissues of their earliest material, which includes their self-titled debut album from 2001, their sophomore album Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers from 2003, and 2004’s Cherry Tree EP. All three releases have been remastered at Abbey Road Studios and will be out February 26, 2021 via 4AD. More
Originally Featured on Georgas’ Latest Album, All That Emotion
Nov 17, 2020
By Joey Arnone
Canadian singer/songwriter Hannah Georgas has joined forces with Matt Berninger, vocalist of rock band The National, for a duet version of “Pray It Away.” The song was originally featured on Georgas’ critically acclaimed latest album, the Aaron Dessner-produced All That Emotion, which was released back in September via Brassland/Arts & Crafts. More
Serpentine Prison Out Now via Book/Concord
Oct 16, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Matt Berninger of The National has released his debut solo album, Serpentine Prison, today via Book, Berninger’s new imprint with Concord. Now that it’s out you can stream the whole thing below. More
Serpentine Prison Due Out October 16 via Book/Concord
Sep 10, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Matt Berninger of The National is releasing his debut solo album, Serpentine Prison, on October 16 via Book, Berninger’s new imprint with Concord. Now he has shared another song from it, “One More Second,” via a lyric video for it. More
folklore Also Features Bon Iver, Jack Antonoff, and more; Swift Self-Directed the “cardigan” Video
Jul 24, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Yesterday Taylor Swift announced that her new album folklore would be coming out today and now that it’s out you can stream the whole thing here. She has also shared a self-directed video for the album’s “cardigan.” Folklore is Swift’s attempt at an indie folk album and 11 of its 16 tracks were co-written and produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner. One song, “exile,” is even a duet with Bon Iver (aka Justin Vernon). More
folklore Also Features Bon Iver, William Bowery, Jack Antonoff, and more
Jul 23, 2020
By Samantha Small
To all those releasing an album tomorrow…sorry, because this morning, Taylor Swift announced her new album folklore will drop at midnight tonight. Swift took to Instagram to share snippets of the cover art over the span of a few hours before announcing the album and its entirety. Perhaps the most surprising part of folklore’s lore is that 11 of the 16 tracks were co written and produced by The National’sAaron Dessner.
Serpentine Prison Due Out October 2 via Book/Concord
Jul 17, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Matt Berninger of The National is releasing his debut solo album, Serpentine Prison, on October 2 via Book, Berninger’s new imprint with Concord. Now he has shared another song from it, “Distant Axis,” via a video for it. More
Indie Music Website Launches Indiegogo Campaign to Stay Afloat
Jun 29, 2020
By Mark Redfern
Stereogum have launched a new Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign to help raise money to keep the site going and the centerpiece is an exclusive compilation of current artists covering songs from the 2000s, the decade the site launched. Among the artists taking part are Death Cab For Cutie, Julien Baker, The National, Mac DeMarco, Soccer Mommy, Shamir, Sharon Van Etten, Dirty Projectors, Waxahatchee, Anna Calvi, Hamilton Leithauser, Strand of Oaks, The New Pornographers, Wye Oak, Ty Segall, Ryley Walker, El-P, Car Seat Headrest, Charly Bliss, Bedouine, Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, and many others. More
A Collaboration with The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner Shared via a Video
Jun 11, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Back in March former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe shared a video of him performing from home a new demo song “No Time for Love Like Now” and then he also performed it again from home for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Now he has shared the studio version of the song, via a video. It’s a collaboration with the collective Big Red Machine, in particular The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner. More
Serpentine Prison Due Out October 2 via Book/Concord
May 20, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Last year Matt Berninger of The National announced his debut solo album, Serpentine Prison, although no release date was given. Now he has shared the album’s title track, “Serpentine Prison,” via a video for it. Berninger has also announced the album’s release date, as well as detailing its many special guests. More
“Holes” Cover Benefits Planned Parenthood
Apr 16, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Back in February, before the pandemic overtook America, Matt Berninger of The National shared a cover of Mercury Rev’s classic “Holes,” from their 1998 album Deserter’s Songs. For last night’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert he performed the cover from home, aided remotely by Steph Altman on piano. More
COVID-19 Themed Song Benefits City Harvest
Apr 15, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Walter Martin (formerly of The Walkmen) has shared a hilarious new COVD-19 themed song, “Quarantine Boogie (Loco),” that features guest vocals from Matt Berninger of The National. It was shared via a video that also features Berninger. More
A Collaboration with The National’s Aaron Dessner
Mar 30, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Over the weekend former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe shared a video of him performing a new song “No Time for Love Like Now.” Stipe says it’s the first take of a new demo and that it’s a collaboration with The National’s Aaron Dessner. More
“Holes” Cover Benefits Planned Parenthood; Cover of INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart” Benefits Australian Bushfire Relief
Feb 28, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Matt Berninger of The National has shared a cover of Mercury Rev’s classic “Holes,” from their 1998 album Deserter’s Songs. It’s part of the 7-Inches for Planned Parenthood series and was shared via a video for the cover. The National, meanwhile, have covered INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart” for the new Australian bushfire relief compilation, Songs for Australia. More
Sharon Van Etten to Also Open One Show in the Summer Run of Dates
Feb 18, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
The National have announced some new North American tour dates. They go down this July and August. Lucy Dacus and Julia Jacklin will take turns opening most of the dates, with Sharon Van Etten also supporting one show. More
Grim Town Out Now via Rough Trade
Nov 25, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
SOAK (Northern Ireland singer/songwriter Bridie Monds-Watson) released a new album, Grim Town, in April via Rough Trade. Now she has shared a cover of The National’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio” (originally found on the band’s 2010 album High Violet). Listen below.
The National: Juicy Sonic Magic, Live in Berkeley, September 24-25, 2018 Cassette Box Set Due Out November 29
Nov 21, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
For Black Friday Record Store Day (November 29), The National are releasing The National: Juicy Sonic Magic, Live in Berkeley, September 24-25, 2018, a new live cassette box set. Now they have shared a new mini-documentary, also titled Juicy Sonic Magic, that explains how the live recordings came about and that they were inspired by a famous concert taper from the 1970s, Mike “The Mike” Millard. More
Local Natives, Patti Smith, Jay Som, Japanese Breakfast, Phosphorescent, Hamilton Leithauser, and More
Nov 20, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National have announced the lineup to their 2020 Homecoming festival and that they will be performing their 2010 album High Violet in its entirety both nights of the festival. More
I Am Easy to Find Out Now via 4AD
Oct 24, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National released a new album, I Am Easy to Find, back in May via 4AD. Last night they stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform the album’s “Where Is Her Head.” Kimmel is doing a week of shows in his native Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, so it wasn’t your average late night performance. More
Serpentine Prison Produced and Arranged by Booker T. Jones
Oct 18, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Matt Berninger of The National has announced his debut solo album. More
New Song Featured in Netflix’s Between Two Ferns: The Movie
Oct 17, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Matt Berninger of The National and Phoebe Bridgers recently teamed up for the new song, “Walking On a String,” which they performed in Netflix’s Between Two Ferns: The Movie. Now they have shared a studio version of the song via a black & white video featuring them recording it. More
I Am Easy to Find Out Now via 4AD
Oct 08, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National released a new album, I Am Easy to Find, back in May via 4AD. Now they have shared a video for the album’s “Hey Rosey.” Mike Mills directed the video, which stars dancer Sharon Eyal. More
Alex Lahey Is the Runner-up (Plus Stream New Albums and EPs from Interpol; Carly Rae Jepsen; Tyler, The Creator; and More)
May 17, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National released a new album, I Am Easy to Find, today via 4AD and it’s our Album of the Week. Find more info on the album her, as well as on a strong runner-up that was almost our Album of the Week. There are also streams of other notable albums released today. More
Plus Men I Trust, Alex Lahey, The Raconteurs, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
May 17, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. We weren’t blown away by too many new tracks this week, beyond the Top 4 on the list below, hence a slightly shorter list this week. More
I Am Easy to Find Out Now via 4AD
May 17, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National have released a new album, I Am Easy to Find, today via 4AD. It is accompanied by a 24-minute short film directed by Mike Mills and starring Oscar-winning Swedish actress Alicia Vikander. Now that the album is out, you can stream the whole thing here. More
I Am Easy to Find Due Out This Friday via 4AD
May 16, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National are releasing a new album, I Am Easy to Find, which is accompanied by a 24-minute short film directed by Mike Mills and starring Oscar-winning Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, this Friday (May 17) via 4AD. Now, on the eve of the album’s release, they have shared one more pre-release single from it, “Rylan.” More
I Am Easy to Find Due Out This Friday via 4AD
May 15, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National are releasing a new album, I Am Easy to Find, which is accompanied by a 24-minute short film directed by Mike Mills and starring Oscar-winning Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, this Friday via 4AD. Last night they stopped The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform the album’s “You Had Your Soul With You.” They were aided by a string quartet and two guest singers, This Is the Kit’s Kate Stables and Pauline de Lassus (aka Mina Tindle). More
Band Also Share Videos of Two Commentary Tracks and a Live Q&A Hosted by Julien Baker
May 13, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National are releasing a new album, I Am Easy to Find, which is accompanied by a 24-minute short film directed by Mike Mills and starring Oscar-winning Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, this Friday (May 17) via 4AD. Now they have shared the full short film several days early. They have also released two separate commentary videos on the film, one by Mills and one by frontman Matt Berninger and his wife (and lyric co-writer) Carin Besser. And there is also a video of a live Q&A in New York about the film featuring Mills and the band, hosted by Julien Baker. More
Plus Absolutely Free (Feat. U.S. Girls), Kindness, Cate Le Bon, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
May 03, 2019
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. There were lots of great new tracks this week, some from the usual suspects, others less expected. We’ve even got a whopping nine honorable mentions, but still managed to reign it in to just a main Top 10. More
I Am Easy to Find Due Out May 17 via 4AD
May 01, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National are releasing a new album, I Am Easy to Find, which is accompanied by a 24-minute short film directed by Mike Mills and starring Oscar-winning Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, on May 17 via 4AD. Now they have shared another song from it, “Hairpin Turn,” via a video for the track. More
Plus The National, Alex Lahey, Hot Chip, Vampire Weekend and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Apr 05, 2019
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. There were a slew of notable new tracks to choose from this week, but our #1 is a song we’ve been planning to add to the Songs of the Week list for a while now and finally could now that the album has been released today. More
I Am Easy to Find Due Out May 17 via 4AD
Apr 04, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National are releasing a new album, I Am Easy to Find, which is accompanied by a 24-minute short film directed by Mike Mills and starring Oscar-winning Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, on May 17 via 4AD. Previously they shared its first single, “You Had Your Soul with You” (which was our #1 Song of the Week), as well as a trailer for the film. Now they have shared another song from the album, closing track “Light Years,” via a video made up of footage from the film, with Vikander playing a woman seen through the years, from childhood to motherhood. More
Tiny Changes: A Celebration of the Songs of Scott Hutchison Available as a Free Download
Mar 24, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
In May 2018, Scott Hutchison, 36-year-old frontman for Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit, was found dead of apparent suicide after he was earlier reported missing by the band. Last December there was a benefit concert at Rough Trade in Brooklyn featuring the songs of Hutchison performed by Julien Baker, Ben Gibbard, Aaron Dessner from The National, Craig Finn, and others. Now the remaining members of Frightened Rabbit have released the concert as a live album that’s a free download or available to stream. More
Plus Vampire Weekend, Strand of Oaks, Glen Hansard, Local Natives, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Mar 08, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
We’ve got another supersized Songs of the Week this week, with a Top 12 instead of the regular Top 10. Like last week we could’ve gotten it down to 10, but it felt wrong to leave out the bottom two. It was a near tie for the top two songs this week. More
I Am Easy to Find Due Out May 17 via 4AD, Listen to “You Had Your Soul with You” and Watch the Film’s Trailer
Mar 05, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National have announced a new album, I Am Easy to Find, which is accompanied by a 24-minute short film directed by Mike Mills and starring Oscar-winning Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, and shared its first single, “You Had Your Soul with You,” as well as a trailer for the film. The band have also announced some more tour dates on top of the five intimate shows they announced last week. More
Have a “Special Evening” with the Band in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, and Toronto
Feb 28, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The National have announced five intimate concerts in five different cities, with the events dubbed “A Special Evening with The National.” They happen in April in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, and Toronto. More
Plus Childish Gambino, Parquet Courts, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Caroline Rose, Solange, The Lonely Island, Jim James, Mac DeMarco, and Others
Jan 08, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Bonnaroo have announced their 2019 lineup. The festival goes down in Manchester, Tennessee from June 13-16. This year’s highlights include Beach House, Courtney Barnett, The National, Childish Gambino, Parquet Courts, and more. More
Part of the 7-Inches for Planned Parenthood Series
Dec 14, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Matt Berninger of The National previously teamed up with Stephan Altman for the song “All I Want” for American Chaos, a documentary on the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Now they have shared a new version of the song that features Julien Baker. More
Big Red Machine Due Out August 31 via PEOPLE/Jagjaguwar
Jul 12, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Big Red Machine is a new collaboration between Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon and The National‘s Aaron Dessner. They have previously shared four songs (“Forest Green,” “Lyla,” “Gratitude,” and “Hymnostic”) from the project via their PEOPLE digital platform. More
Welfare, Trade Wars, and Potential Real Wars (Plus NOFX, Bon Iver, BROCKHAMPTON, and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever)
Jun 01, 2018
By Stephen Mayne
This week we look at a study assessing what drives hostility to social welfare programs, plus Trump has trade wars and real wars to consider, Justin Vernon teases intriguingly titled music and NOFX disgrace themselves. More
There's No Leaving New York at Forest Hills Stadium September 29 and 30, Plus Band Have Launched Fan Club
Apr 09, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
The National have announced a two-day live event at Forest Hills Stadium on September 29 and 30 that will features performances from the band as well as from Cat Power, Future Islands, U.S. Girls, Phoebe Bridges, Bully, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Cigarettes After Sex, and Adia Victoria. More
Issue 63 Also Includes Interviews with MGMT, The Decemberists, Belle & Sebastian, The National, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Fleet Foxes, Parquet Courts, Noel Gallagher, Spoon, and More
Mar 28, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our Spring 2018 Issue, which is out now digitally via Under the Radar’s app and the magazine apps Readly and Zinio. The print version has shipped out to subscribers and stores and will be on all newsstands soon. The issue features Courtney Barnett on the cover. More
Plus St. Vincent, Jack White, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Parquet Courts, Lykke Li, Stars, and More
Mar 21, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
This year’s Lollapalooza is going down August 2-5 at Grant Park in Chicago and now the lineup has been revealed. The headliners are The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, Travis Scott, The National, Vampire Weekend, and Odesza. More
Plus Kevin Shields and Brian Eno, Mac DeMarco, The National, The Cure, Fleet Foxes, and Others
Mar 06, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
The full list of 2018 Record Store Day releases has been revealed. Record Store Day goes down on April 21 and just in case you don’t already know, the basic idea is to get music fans out to their local independent record store, with the bait being a slew of exclusive limited edition releases. More
Boxer (Live in Brussels) Due Out April 21 via 4AD
Mar 06, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
The National have announced a new live album, Boxer (Live in Brussels). As its title suggests, it features the band performing their classic 2007 album Boxer in full in Brussels and was recorded November 9, 2017. It is due out on vinyl on April 21, Record Store Day, via 4AD. Above is the album cover and below are the band’s upcoming tour dates. More
Plus Ryley Walker, Young Fathers, Lost Under Heaven, Gwenno, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Mar 02, 2018
By Mark Redfern
It was another good week for new songs. Any of our Top 3 songs could’ve been our #1 and we also quite enjoyed CHVRCHES’ collaboration with The National‘s Matt Berninger (on a weaker week that probably would’ve been #1). More
Love Is Dead due Out May 25 via Glassnote
Feb 28, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Scottish electro-pop trio CHVRCHES have announced their new album, Love Is Dead, and shared another song from it, “My Enemy,” which features the guest vocals of Matt Berninger of The National (and EL VY). More
To Premiere August 3 at Goodspeed's Terris Theatre in Connecticut
Feb 09, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
The National are working on a new musical adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play. As Playbill reports, The National are collaborating with Erica Schmidt (writer/director of Off-Broadway’s All the Fine Boys) on the musical, which will feature music by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National with lyrics by Matt Berninger of The National and his wife, writer Carin Besser. More
Grizzly Bear, Slowdive, Neko Case, Julien Baker, and others on Memorial Day Weekend (May 25 – 28) in Quincy, Washington
Feb 05, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
The Sasquatch! Music Festival has revealed the lineup for their 2018 festival, their 17th year. Once again it will be going down Memorial Day Weekend (May 25 - 28) at the Gorge Amphitheater in Quincy, Washington. The lineup includes Bon Iver, The National, Modest Mouse, David Byrne, Spoon, Grizzly Bear, Slowdive, Neko Case, Julien Baker, TV On The Radio, Tune-Yards, Wolf Parade, Japandroids, Big Thief, Perfume Genius, Japanese Breakfast, Benjamin Clementine, Phoebe Bridgers, Algiers, Pond, and others. More
Congrats to The War on Drugs, The National, and Father John Misty, and That's About It
Jan 29, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
We’re a music magazine and website and so I guess we’re supposed to report on last night’s Grammy Awards, but we really don’t want to. More
Dimensional People Due Out April 13 via Thrill Jockey, Also Features Members of The National and Beirut
Jan 17, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Mouse on Mars are releasing a new album, Dimensional People, on April 13 via Thrill Jockey. It’s their first album in six years. Now they have shared its first single, “Dimensional People Part III,” which features the chopped up guest vocals of Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. More
Plus Queens of the Stone Age, Courtney Barnett, David Byrne, Franz Ferdinand, Alvvays, and Others
Jan 08, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
The lineup for the 2018 Shaky Knees Music Festival has been announced. The festival goes down in Atlanta, GA’s Central Park May 4-6. The headliners are The National, Jack White, and Queens of the Stone Age. More
Jan 05, 2018
By Stephen Mayne
It would be inaccurate to say a lot of us started 2017 with optimism overflowing, but there was a certain relief at having put 2016 to bed. While the misery of a Trump White House still lay ahead, some comfort came from sweeping away the detritus of that car crash of an election. More
Another Dark Year Was Brightened By a Plethora of Fantastic Albums
Dec 30, 2017
By Mark Redfern
2016 was regarded as a fairly rough year by many, but 2017 was no walk in the park either. 2016 was mired by the deaths of several beloved musical icons (David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, George Michael, and Sharon Jones among them) and the disappointing and divisive Presidential election, but in 2017 we had to deal with the ramifications of said election (we’d say that roughly 95% of the musicians we interview likely don’t support many, if any, of President Trump’s policies). More
Sleep Well Beast Out Now via 4AD
Dec 14, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The National released their excellent new album, Sleep Well Beast, back in September via 4AD. It was our Album of the Week. Now they have shared a video for the album’s title track, “Sleep Well Beast.” Casey Reas and Graham MacIndoe directed the video, which features lots of quick cuts of images hued a one color. More
Sleep Well Beast Out Now via 4AD
Dec 05, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The National released their excellent new album, Sleep Well Beast, back in September via 4AD. It was our Album of the Week. Today they were the musical guest on Ellen, where they performed “Day I Die.” More
A Crash Course in the History of North Korea
Dec 01, 2017
By Stephen Mayne
To North Korea we go this week. Following yet another successful launch, we walk back a few decades to summarize the current situation threatening us all. Beneath the prospect of nuclear annihilation, there’s also change afoot in the White House, an insulting president, tax reform, and the Grammys. More
Sleep Well Beast Out Now via 4AD
Nov 30, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The National released their excellent new album, Sleep Well Beast, back in September via 4AD. It was our Album of the Week. Now they have shared a wonderful video for “Dark Side of the Gym.” It features two dancers in a school gym, covered in balloons and likely post a school dance. More
Plus Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, JAY-Z, Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire, Leonard Cohen, LCD Soundsystem, and Others Get Nominations
Nov 28, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The 2018 Grammy Awards nominations have been announced. Childish Gambino, JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, and Bruno Mars are all vying for Album of the Year. Arcade Fire, Gorillaz, LCD Soundsystem, Father John Misty, and The National compete for Best Alternative Music Album. More
Sleep Well Beast Out Now via 4AD
Nov 15, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The National released their excellent new album, Sleep Well Beast, back in September via 4AD. It was our Album of the Week. Now they have done a session for Spotify where they cover Cat Power’s “Maybe Not” (a song from her 2003 album You Are Free) and also perform Sleep Well Beast‘s “Carin At the Liquor Store.” Listen below, followed by the band’s upcoming tour dates. More
Sleep Well Beast Out Now via 4AD
Oct 23, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The National released their excellent new album, Sleep Well Beast, last month via 4AD. It was our Album of the Week. Now they have shared a video for “I’ll Still Destroy You.” Allan Sigurðsson and Icelandic performance and installation artist Ragnar Kjartansson directed the video, which was filmed in Copenhagen, Denmark. More
Plus Against Me!, Kesha, and Miley Cyrus
Oct 05, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Tom Petty, the singer/songwriter/guitarist who found success in the 1970s and 1980s with his band as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, died Monday night after suffering cardiac arrest Sunday night in his home in Malibu, Los Angeles. More
Trump Deals with Democrats, But Cancels DACA (Meanwhile Hurricane Irma Looms)
Sep 08, 2017
By Stephen Mayne
We have deals struck, and dubious friends treated dubiously this week. Oh what it is to see a little Republican discord. There’s also Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, the mistreatment of dreamers, the good side of Charlottesville, and a taste of Vitamin C on offer. More
Sleep Well Beast Out Now via 4AD
Sep 08, 2017
By Billy Hamilton
The National is The National is The National. After 18 years and six albums, the Ohio spawned ensemble make a sound you can spot a mile off: that rich rumble of Matt Berninger’s moribund baritone; those quivering, tear-duct moistening laments; the spiralling weaves of delicate guitar. More
Interviews
May 25, 2018
By Mike Hilleary
One hundred and twenty miles north of New York City, Hudson, NY, sits quietly alongside the river with which it shares its name. Established in the late 1700s by merchants from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard who needed an inland port for their whaling ships, the historic upstate locale has endured its equal share of anonymity and notoriety over the decades, at one point serving as a haven in the early 20th century for all manner of vice, including gambling, bootlegging, and an infamous red-light district. More
What We Learn When We're Apart
Sep 08, 2017
By Mike Hilleary
The members of The National—Matt Berninger, Aaron and Bryce Dessner, and Scott and Bryan Devendorf—have all reached that enviable point in their careers where the band they started as young men is no longer the all-consuming focal point of their lives. More
Mar 27, 2014
By Austin Trunick
Four years ago, The National was ready to embark on what was to that point the longest and largest world tour of their career. Lead singer Matt Berninger invited along his brother, Tom, to help out on the tour. His band is comprised of two sets of siblings—musicians Aaron and Bryce Dessner, and Bryan and Scott Devendorf—but Matt couldn’t be more different than his own brother. Tom, nine years younger and a devout heavy metal fan, brought his camera along on the road. As the tensions rose, the footage he captured revealed as much about himself and about family as it does the band he set out to document. More
Aug 09, 2013
By Matt Fink
Though The National’s latest release isn’t a huge departure in any musical or conceptual sense, vocalist and songwriter Matt Berninger says it was made by a different group of men than those who made their previous albums. More
Dec 14, 2009
By Jim Scott
After their 2006 album Alligator, it seemed as though Brooklyn-based The National had achieved breakout status. Almost exactly a year later, however, the band released the stunning Boxer, and the band was suddenly ubiquitous, a popular and critical favorite. More
Oct 02, 2007
By Aaron Passman
The June release of Boxer (Beggars Banquet), The National’s fourth LP, was met with the same universal critical praise that met its predecessor Alligator. One of the strongest records of 2007 so far, Boxer could be the soundtrack to walking home from the bar alone after last call. More
Reviews
Oct 02, 2024
By Moses Namkung
The Zen Diagram Tour featuring The War On Drugs and The National arrived in Salt Lake City last weekend (September 29th) and Under the Radar photographer Moses Namkung was on hand to capture the highlights More
Jun 20, 2024
By Jimi Arundell
Under the Radar heads to Worthy Farm next week for the 2024 edition of Glastonbury Festival. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect. More
Apr 27, 2023
By Chris Thiessen
It’s a wonder The National haven’t collaborated with film director Noah Baumbach, considering both have an affinity for returning to tense, deteriorating, and broken relationships as their preferred medium. More
Mar 23, 2021
By Andy Von Pip
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut, The National have reissued remastered versions of their early work including their 2003-released second album, Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, and 2004’s Cherry Tree EP. More
May 17, 2019
By Celine Teo-Blockey
Not long into “You Had Your Soul With You” one realizes The National’s new album I Am Easy to Find is closely related to their last one, 2017’s Sleep Well Beast: they share the same quest for meaning in a fractured world, the same skittering heartbeat, shimmery melodies and abrupt endings. More
Aug 03, 2018
By Joshua Mellin
Over the last decade, Chicago’s Lollapalooza has morphed from what was originally a touring festival, into the sprawling four-day destination in Grant Park. As its borders extend to include editions around the world, such as Germany, Chile, and Paris, one stage has drawn the most sought after artists, even though it holds just over 1,000 people: Metro Chicago. More
Jul 16, 2015
By Hays Davis
How many times could you listen to the same song repeatedly? Or, if you’re a musician, how many times could you handle playing that song over and over? More
Dec 01, 2014
By Dan Lucas
Sat hidden away behind a discoloured wooden door and at the bottom of a steep, narrow staircase next to London’s Embankment underground station is Gordon’s, the city’s oldest wine bar. Established in 1890 and situated below the former home of Samuel Pepys, the place oozes character from every nook and cranny. More
Aug 12, 2014
By Laura Studarus
Welcome to the first official day of Øya 2014. More
May 21, 2013
By Ryan E.C. Hamm
By this time, you pretty much know what you’re going to get with a new album from The National. Lots of sad lyrics, dark humor, shimmering guitars, pensive strings, and a sneakily good rhythm section that ends up being the heartbeat of the whole affair. More
May 10, 2010
By Jim Scott
The National is in danger of becoming another Spoon. Spoon is excellent, of course, and this is the kind of designation most bands would kill for, but the risk here is that by continually making solid records and not risking falling on their faces, the albums don’t transcend; without risk, where’s the thrill? More
Jun 16, 2009
By Aaron Passman
It says something that even two years after it was released, The National’s Boxer still feels fresh. Same can be said for the 4-year-old tracks from Alligator, both of which were featured heavily in the quintet’s recent stop in Philly. More