I prefer songs that have meaningful lyrics, ones that have a story to them, and The National is able to perfectly capture this essence with their newly released album.

The indie rock band, The National, released their ninth studio album “First Two Pages of Frankenstein” on Friday, April 28. The album features several guest appearances from popular artists such as Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift. Through their beautiful songwriting, the band is able to embody not only their personal growth but their journey as a band as well.

The album’s opening track “Once Upon a Poolside” discusses lead vocalist Matt Bernginger’s struggles with depression as he doubts the band’s future. The constant piano chords and slow tempo of the song emphasize the gloomy mood and topic. Bernginger paints a metaphor that represents the nerves he felt performing live on stage during the band’s 2022 tour. He is able to capture the journey of the band while highlighting his tendency to overthink. The image of the poolside is also a mirror to the cover of the band’s self-titled debut album which was released back in 2001.

The piano quickly fades as the second track, “Eucalyptus” starts. Even though the song contains a deep message, it carries a more cheerful vibe compared to the other tracks as the band reminisces about their early days in New York. “Eucalyptus” reflects on two main themes. It talks about friendship through the details of the beauty of eucalyptus trees growing in the spring, while also touching on the pain of going through a difficult breakup.

Personally, my favorite song would have to be “The Alcott (feat. Taylor Swift).” The beginning of the song has beautiful piano riffs that remind me of the opening track of the album. The track is inspired by Berninger’s experiences with his wife, as they’ve gone through some difficult patches in their relationship. It touches on their history and Berninger’s desire to keep their relationship going, as he is not willing to give up. Not to mention, Swift’s voice is able to add an authentic element to the song that reflects back to the overall theme of the song. 

“First Two Pages of Frankenstein” comes to a close with track 11, “Send for Me,” which showcases Berninger’s journey towards acceptance and self-expression. The tone of the song is quite positive, unlike some of the others on the album. Berninger concludes the album in a hopeful tone, reminiscing on the challenges they’ve overcome.

I would recommend giving this album a listen, especially if you are a fan of sad music. This 47-minute album portrays The National’s growth in the music industry. It’s a great introduction if you are listening to the band for the first time as the album showcases the band’s vulnerable moments and their ability to learn from them, giving listeners a true representation of their identity.