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The 70 Best Albums of 2019
From forward-looking electronic and experimental to new approaches in the ever-evolving R&B scene, from hip-hop and punk to rock and pop, 2019 bestowed an embarrassment of musical riches upon us.
09 Dec 2019
Events
Sziget Festival 2019: Macklemore Rules Showbiz, Post Malone Falls Flat, the National Deserve Better
Days four and five of the Sziget Festival saw some great shows with Macklemore leading the way, big crowds, and an even bigger drug bust.
12 Aug 2019
Music
The 50 Best Albums of 2019 So Far
As we head into a brief summer publication break to enjoy the summer sun for a few days, it's the perfect time to take stock of the year in music so far. PopMatters returns to our normal publishing schedule on Monday, 8 July.
01 Jul 2019
Music
The National's 'I Am Easy to Find' Is a Tangle of Beautiful, Messy Humanity
The National's eighth album is not as easy to locate or to live with, as its title suggests, but it contains passages of sublime beauty and grace.
28 May 2019
Events
The National Preview New Record During "Special Evening"
Inspired by their collaboration on Mike Mills' film I'm Still Here, the National are releasing I Am Easy to Find in May.
25 Apr 2019
Music
2018 ACL Music Festival Recap – Friday, Weekend Two
Young bands like Alvvays and Hozier get their chance to shine at ACL, but it's legends like David Byrne and Paul McCartney who dazzle the most.
14 Oct 2018
Music
Lollapalooza Berlin Day 1: The Weeknd Gives a Phenomenal Performance, David Guetta Conquers an Entire Stadium
The fourth installment of what is now Germany's biggest music festival, Lollapalooza Berlin, kicks off with fireworks and in great spirits, with loads of great pop performances.
10 Sep 2018
Music
Lollapalooza Berlin Is Ready for the Big Leagues
In its fourth year since inception, the first festival to mark Lollapalooza's expansion in Europe is big enough to be placed among the greatest events on the Old continent.
17 Aug 2018
Reviews
The Roots Pack Gramercy Theatre with Special Guests for Jam
After the National's Citi Sound Vault show, I caught one of the Root' tremendous nights of special jams.
26 Jan 2018
Music
The Best Indie Rock of 2017
The indie rock genre is wide and unwieldy, but the musicians selected here share an awareness of one's place on the cultural-historical timeline.
04 Dec 2017
Music
The National - "The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness" (Singles Going Steady)
The National 2.0 have been given a slightly modern makeover but have managed to make it sound like a natural progression
01 Jun 2017
Music
Bob Weir: Blue Mountain
A Grateful Dead founding member collaborates beautifully with Josh Ritter and the National on his first album of all original material in 30 years.
29 Sep 2016
Music
Panorama Offers Social Commentary From Kendrick Lamar and New Songs From the National
Stellar sets from the Julie Ruin, Foals, Kendrick Lamar, the National and more made for an exciting second day of the inaugural Panorama Music Festival.
01 Aug 2016
Music
Frightened Rabbit: Painting of a Panic Attack
Painting of a Panic Attack is Frightened Rabbit dressed up as the National for Halloween. It’s a nice change, but still very much the band fans have come to love.
03 May 2016
Music
EL VY: Return to the Moon
EL VY aim to be more than a side project, but this relaxed collection of songs falls frustratingly short of that goal.
16 Nov 2015
Reviews
Big Ears 2015 Was a Festival for Serious Artists and Listeners
From 27-29 March, Knoxville, Tennessee music fans were treated to a world of daring and avant-garde music at the latest installment of the Big Ears festival.
A Noah Harrison
12 Apr 2015
Music
Heaven Don't Call Me Home: An Interview With the Lone Bellow
Rewriting the rules of Americana, the Lone Bellow are ready for their mainstream moment, working with Aaron Dessner of the National and releasing one of 2015's most anticipated albums.
Annie Galvin
01 Feb 2015
Music
The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s: 20-1
These top 20 records of the '00s feature some familiar faces, but also several that, over time, have grown more fondly in memory.
09 Oct 2014
Music
Lit Up: The National's 'Alligator' and the Hope of Indie Rock
The National's seminal 2005 album Alligator shows the band, like America, to be lit up by white lights even as it is surrounded by darkness.
30 Sep 2014
Music
San Fermin: San Fermin
San Fermin's strange mix of genres and lyrical ideas makes for an enticing and fantastic listen.
19 Jan 2014
Music
The Artists of the Year: 2013 Edition
It was a year of thrilling comebacks from legends like My Bloody Valentine and David Bowie as well the launch of major new talents like Lorde and Kacey Musgraves. These artists had the biggest impact on the shape of music in 2013.
26 Dec 2013
Music
Young Rebel Set: Crocodile
This is the kind of record that gives rise to lots of associations -- intentional, unintentional, whatever -- and while for some bands that kind of provocational association can be a good thing, it is bad news for Young Rebel Set.
11 Nov 2013
Music
The National - "Graceless" (video)
The National is now up to six videos from 'Trouble Will Find Me', released earlier this year.
27 Aug 2013
Music
Beach Fossils - "Crashed Out" (video)
The National and Beach Fossils both released new records in early 2013, each effort playing like the inverse of the other.
15 Aug 2013
Events
The National: 5 June 2013 - Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY (Photos)
The National returned to "where it all began" when they played the biggest headlining show of their career in Brooklyn.
07 Jun 2013
Music
In Defense of Music Festival Fatigue
It's time to question how relevant these large gatherings are as the multi-band concert industry continues to expand to obnoxious heights.
04 Jun 2013
Music
A Festival, a Parade: The National's Best Lyrics
To celebrate the National's new record, Trouble Will Find Me, we count down frontman Matt Berninger's best lyrics.
29 May 2013
Music
The National Debuted Two New Songs Last Night on 'Fallon'
The National's eagerly-awaited new album 'Trouble Will Find Me' releases on 21 May and the group shared two new songs ("Sea of Love" and "I Need My Girl") with the world in live performance last night as a web exclusive.
26 Apr 2013
Music
Sharon Van Etten: Demos
In Tramp Van Etten found the sort of catharsis that only rock music can afford. These early recordings show her thoughts not yet turned to scorn, and with their own fascinting privacy.
07 Jan 2013
Music
The Money I Owe: The National's 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' in 2012
The National's "Bloodbuzz Ohio" stays relevant and touching as the Great Recession continues.
02 Oct 2012
Music
Birdy: Birdy
On her debut album full of indie-rock covers, this 15-year old proves that she can really sing; but Birdy's appeal may depend on how much you enjoy desperate, aching piano ballads, because there are a lot of them here.
14 Jun 2012
Interviews
The New Yorker Festival: A Conversation with "Dad Rock" Band The National
The National are impressed they get more women in the audience than Radiohead does.
14 Oct 2011
Music
The Forms - “Fire to the Ground” Features Matt Berninger
New vocals takes dancing in the streets to different level.
12 Aug 2011
Reviews
Features
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