The National are releasing their new album First Two Pages of Frankenstein in April, and today they share the second taste of it in a song called “New Order T-Shirt”. Aaron Dessner says:
โTo meย theย line โI keep what I can of youโ means something about everyone Iโve ever known or loved. Thereโsย aย simplicity to โNew Order T-Shirtโ that reminds me of our earlier records, but withย theย full maturity and experience we have now. It feels likeย aย really important song forย theย future of our band.โย
The arrangement of “New Order T-Shirt” is subtle but complex, a landscape of shimmering tones that never overwhelms but only elevates Matt Berninger’s grab-bag of cherished memories. We’re taken from incidental moments of pure fondness for someone now no longer in his life; weaving through traffic cones, getting saved from customs cops, being taken care of when down with illness and much more. It quietly builds through a storm of memories to the admission “I keep what I can of you / Split second glimpses and snapshots and sounds / You in my New Order t-shirt,” a humbly heartbreaking finale.
Watch the video for “New Order T-Shirt” below or find it on streamers.
The National’s First Two Pages of Frankenstein arrives on April 28 through 4AD (pre-order/save). You can find the band on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
