The coronavirus pandemic has reinforced the fear that things will never return to their former glory. However, the new album from the National addresses this concern in a unique and thought-provoking way. Despite their success and influence in the music industry, the band’s latest release, Laugh Track, delves into themes of decline and decay.
The National’s lead singer, Matt Berninger, has always captured the struggle between survival and deterioration in his lyrics. This struggle became more pronounced in 2021 when Berninger faced depression and writer’s block. Despite these challenges, the band released an album called First Two Pages of Frankenstein, which showcased hopefulness and therapeutic elements.
However, First Two Pages of Frankenstein received mixed reviews, with critics and fans noting redundancy and complacency. In contrast, the surprise release of Laugh Track, created during the same sessions as the previous album, presents a more experimental approach with longer songs and emotionally impactful lyrics.
Berninger’s lyrics in Laugh Track speak to his own bewilderment and malaise, exploring themes of lost momentum and the inevitability of mortality. Despite the bleakness of these words, the music itself maintains a sense of seeking light, similar to the previous album. Many of the songs can be interpreted as conversations between a distressed individual and a compassionate loved one.
While sufferer-and-savior narratives can be cliché, Berninger effectively captures the complexities of human companionship and the shared experience of mourning the past and anticipating the future. Laugh Track offers a blend of grief and gratitude, building on the band’s exploration of growth and aging.
Although some may argue that the National’s earlier music is superior, the band continues to challenge themselves and push the boundaries of their sound. Laugh Track evokes a powerful mood and encapsulates the intangible realities of life’s evolution. The album concludes with a poignant jam session where Berninger praises a smoke detector, symbolizing the unpredictable nature of our lives.
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