Over the weekend, The National announced a brand-new album — their second of 2023 — called Laugh Track. Like their previous 2023 release, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, it features plenty of heavy-hitters doing guest vocals. One of them is Rosanne Cash.
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On X, Cash took a moment to reflect on the partnership, which is heard on the album’s penultimate track, “Crumble.” “I’m absolutely thrilled to guest on the new @TheNational album,” she posted. “Singing with @Mattberninger is a dream.”
[RELATED: Rosanne Cash Reissues ‘The Wheel’ 30 Years Later, Shares Remastered, Live Title Track]
“Crumble,” like most of Laugh Track, is a rainy-day number propelled by The National’s solid rhythm section and widescreen orchestrations. Cash’s harmonies on the chorus, as well as her lead vocals on the song’s bridge, help take it to a higher plane.
Along with contributions from Cash, Laugh Track also boasts appearances from Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers, both of whom have become regular National collaborators. First Two Pages of Frankenstein, released in April, also featured Bridges on two songs. It also notably included a song with Taylor Swift called “The Alcott.”
The National surprise-released Laugh Track at midnight on September 18 after they organized the Homecoming festival in their hometown of Cincinnati. Also on the bill were punk legend Patti Smith, reunited alternative icons Pavement, recently reunited indie darling The Walkmen, and contemporary favorites like Arooj Aftab, Bartees Strange, Carriers, Ballard, Weyes Blood, Snail Mail, Julia Jacklin, The Drin, and Leo Pastel.
“Laugh Track is the band’s most freewheeling, all-hands-on-deck album in years,” according to a release. “If Frankenstein represented a rebuilding of trust between group members after 20-plus years together, the vibrant, exploratory Laugh Track is both the product of that faith and a new statement of intent.”
Cash, meanwhile, is readying a 30th anniversary release of her 1993 album The Wheel, due out November 17. “I can’t look back at that time and separate the music from love,” she shared in a statement announcing the release. “What was true then has become more true and more alive every day since.”
European fans, get ready to be captivated! The National tour around UK and european 2024 dates are here, and you don’t want to miss their soul-stirring performances. Grab your tickets and prepare for an unforgettable night!
