Having thoroughly teased fans, the National have now announced the details of their ninth album. First Two Pages of Frankenstein is out April 28 through 4AD, featuring guest appearances from Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens.
Additionally, the band have shared the new single "Tropic Morning News" and announced a slew of tour dates.
In an announcement, frontman Matt Berninger revealed that he experienced a severe bout of writer's block, and admitted, "This was the first time it ever felt like maybe things really had come to an end." Eventually, the band reached what multi-instrumentalist Bryce Dessner calls "a new era for the band." First Two Pages of Frankenstein was recorded at the band's Long Pond Studios in Upstate New York.
Below, listen to "Tropic Morning News" — an upbeat song that Berninger co-wrote with wife Carin Besser, taking its title from her term for doomscrolling. "The idea of referring to the darkness of the news in such a light way unlocked something in me," Berninger said in a statement. "It became a song about having a hard time expressing yourself, and trying to connect with someone when the noise of the world is drowning out any potential for conversation." Hear it below.
Below that, check out the album tracklist. Last year's Bon Iver-assisted "Weird Goodbyes" is absent from the album.
Also below, see the band's upcoming tour schedule. It includes lots of US and European dates, plus one Canadian stop in Burnaby, BC. Tickets go on sale on January 27 at 10 a.m. local time.
First Two Pages of Frankenstein:
1. Once Upon a Poolside (feat. Sufjan Stevens)
2. Eucalyptus
3. New Order T-Shirt
4. This Isn't Helping (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)
5. Tropic Morning News
6. Alien
7. The Alcott (feat. Taylor Swift)
8. Grease in Your Hair
9. Ice Machines
10. Your Mind Is Not Your Friend (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)
11. Send for Me
The National 2023 Tour Dates:
05/20 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre *
05/21 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre *
05/24 Washington, DC - The Anthem *
05/26 Boston, MA - Boston Calling Festival
05/28 Napa, CA - Bottlerock Festival
05/30 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre *
06/02 Troutdale, OR - McMenamins Edgefield *
06/03 Troutdale, OR - McMenamins Edgefield *
06/04 Redmond, WA - Marymoor Park *
06/05 Burnaby, BC, Canada - Festival Lawn at Deer Lake Park *
08/01 Philadelphia, PA - The Met Philadelphia ~
08/03 New Haven, CT - Westville Music Bowl ~
08/07 Detroit, MI - The Fillmore Detroit ~
08/08 Madison, WI - The Sylvee ~
08/09 Minneapolis, MN - The Armory ~
08/11 Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom ~
08/15 Nashville, TN - Ascend Amphitheater ~
08/16 Atlanta, GA - Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park ~
08/18 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden $
09/21 Dublin, Ireland - 3 Arena *
09/23 Leeds, UK - First Direct Arena *
09/24 Glasgow, UK - SSE Hydro Arena *
09/26 London, UK - Alexandra Palace *
09/29 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Ziggo Dome ^
09/30 Berlin, Germany - Max-Schmeling-Halle ^
10/01 Munich, Germany - Zenith ^
10/04 Madrid, Spain - WiZink Center ^
10/05 Porto, Portugal - Super Bock Arena ^
10/06 Lisbon, Portugal - Campo Pequeno ^
* Soccer Mommy
~ with the Beths
$ with Patti Smith and Her Band
^ with Bartees Strange
Additionally, the band have shared the new single "Tropic Morning News" and announced a slew of tour dates.
In an announcement, frontman Matt Berninger revealed that he experienced a severe bout of writer's block, and admitted, "This was the first time it ever felt like maybe things really had come to an end." Eventually, the band reached what multi-instrumentalist Bryce Dessner calls "a new era for the band." First Two Pages of Frankenstein was recorded at the band's Long Pond Studios in Upstate New York.
Below, listen to "Tropic Morning News" — an upbeat song that Berninger co-wrote with wife Carin Besser, taking its title from her term for doomscrolling. "The idea of referring to the darkness of the news in such a light way unlocked something in me," Berninger said in a statement. "It became a song about having a hard time expressing yourself, and trying to connect with someone when the noise of the world is drowning out any potential for conversation." Hear it below.
Below that, check out the album tracklist. Last year's Bon Iver-assisted "Weird Goodbyes" is absent from the album.
Also below, see the band's upcoming tour schedule. It includes lots of US and European dates, plus one Canadian stop in Burnaby, BC. Tickets go on sale on January 27 at 10 a.m. local time.
First Two Pages of Frankenstein:
1. Once Upon a Poolside (feat. Sufjan Stevens)
2. Eucalyptus
3. New Order T-Shirt
4. This Isn't Helping (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)
5. Tropic Morning News
6. Alien
7. The Alcott (feat. Taylor Swift)
8. Grease in Your Hair
9. Ice Machines
10. Your Mind Is Not Your Friend (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)
11. Send for Me
The National 2023 Tour Dates:
05/20 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre *
05/21 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre *
05/24 Washington, DC - The Anthem *
05/26 Boston, MA - Boston Calling Festival
05/28 Napa, CA - Bottlerock Festival
05/30 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre *
06/02 Troutdale, OR - McMenamins Edgefield *
06/03 Troutdale, OR - McMenamins Edgefield *
06/04 Redmond, WA - Marymoor Park *
06/05 Burnaby, BC, Canada - Festival Lawn at Deer Lake Park *
08/01 Philadelphia, PA - The Met Philadelphia ~
08/03 New Haven, CT - Westville Music Bowl ~
08/07 Detroit, MI - The Fillmore Detroit ~
08/08 Madison, WI - The Sylvee ~
08/09 Minneapolis, MN - The Armory ~
08/11 Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom ~
08/15 Nashville, TN - Ascend Amphitheater ~
08/16 Atlanta, GA - Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park ~
08/18 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden $
09/21 Dublin, Ireland - 3 Arena *
09/23 Leeds, UK - First Direct Arena *
09/24 Glasgow, UK - SSE Hydro Arena *
09/26 London, UK - Alexandra Palace *
09/29 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Ziggo Dome ^
09/30 Berlin, Germany - Max-Schmeling-Halle ^
10/01 Munich, Germany - Zenith ^
10/04 Madrid, Spain - WiZink Center ^
10/05 Porto, Portugal - Super Bock Arena ^
10/06 Lisbon, Portugal - Campo Pequeno ^
* Soccer Mommy
~ with the Beths
$ with Patti Smith and Her Band
^ with Bartees Strange
