At last, The National's new album First Two Pages of Frankenstein has arrived.
Out today via 4AD, the glorious new record has been released in full. As we previously mentioned, this new record features a handful of collaborations from the likes of Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens. Today's release is also accompanied by a lyric video for the Swift-assisted "The Alcott."
The new album is said to have come after a busy stretch of touring following two back-to-back albums, which left lead singer Matt Berninger navigating a "very dark spot where I couldn’t come up with lyrics or melodies at all," he says. "Even though we’d always been anxious whenever we were working on a record, this was the first time it ever felt like maybe things really had come to an end.”
According to guitarist/pianist Bryce Dessner, the band "managed to come back together and approach everything from a different angle, and because of that, we arrived at what feels like a new era for the band."
Adds brother and bandmate Aaron Dessner: “When Matt came in with that song in the depths of his depression, it felt like a turning point for us. It’s almost Dylan-esque in its lyrics and it’s so much fun to play; everything suddenly felt like it was coming alive again.”
Hear the new album now.
The National's live schedule:
May 18 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theatre *
May 19 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theatre *
May 20 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theatre *
May 21 – Chicago, IL – Auditorium Theatre *
May 23 – Washington, DC – The Anthem *
May 24 – Washington, DC – The Anthem *
May 26 – Boston, MA – Boston Calling Festival
May 28 – Napa, CA – Bottlerock Festival
May 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre *
May 31 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre *
June 2 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield *
June 3 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield *
June 4 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Park *
June 5 – Burnaby, BC, Canada – Festival Lawn at Deer Lake Park *
August 1 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia ~
August 2 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia ~
August 3 – New Haven, CT – Westville Music Bowl ~
August 5 – Montreal, PQ – Osheaga Festival
August 7 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit ~
August 8 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee ~
August 9 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory ~
August 11 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom ~
August 12 – Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom ~
August 15 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater ~
August 16 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park ~
August 18 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden +
August 20 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage !
September 21 – Dublin, IRE – 3 Arena *
September 23 – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena *
September 24 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro Arena *
September 26 – London, UK – Alexandra Palace *
September 27 – London, UK – Alexandra Palace *
September 29 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome ^
September 30 – Berlin, DE – Max-Schmeling-Halle ^
October 1 – Munich, DE – Zenith ^
October 4 – Madrid, ES – WiZink Center ^
October 5 – Porto, PT – Super Bock Arena ^
October 6 – Lisbon, PT – Campo Pequeno ^
* with Soccer Mommy
~ with The Beths
^ with Bartees Strange
+ with very special guest Patti Smith and her band
! with very special guest Patti Smith and her band and U.S. Girls
