Along with the announcement of The National’s sixth studio album came an important quote from frontman Matt Berninger. “After touring High Violet, I think we felt like we’d finally gotten there.”
Using that as a point of departure, it’s easy to see how Trouble Will Find Me sounds like an extension of the band’s 2010 release. For the first time in their career, the growth between albums isn’t so apparent. However where Trouble Will Find Me differs from High Violet is in its sonic contrasts and immediacy.
On one hand Bryan Devendorf’s insistent drumming, which characterises songs like ‘Graceless’, ‘Demons’, and ‘Sea Of Love’, are the heaviest the band have ever recorded. Yet on the other, this record – particularly the latter half – is more stripped back than The National have allowed in the past.
Take the Springsteen-esque ‘Hard To Find’ and ‘Pink Rabbits’, two of the chief examples as the five-piece demonstrate that once again their signature is in not just opening, but owning the door to melancholy.
On such songs the piano and strings sound illusive yet sophisticated, while lyrically the themes of love and longing play a central role.
Berninger’s quality baritone remains, although thanks to his decision to quit smoking the vocalist sings at a new melodious level on parts of the record. On these tracks, the added female vocals of St.Vincent, Sharon Van Etten, and Nona Marie Invie (of Dark Dark Dark) are subtle yet brilliant.
With each new record The National have typically hit new heights, but Trouble Will Find Me is an enviable plateau of quality. The album is no better or worse than High Violet and that in itself is quite a feat.
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Comparing the two albums at this early stage is evidently feeble because, not unlike a fine wine, the process of ageing is critical to appreciating an LP by The National; their sixth album sees them maintaining their excellence in soundtracking each winter of our discontent.
