Every Monday, Add of the Week unveils all the new songs going into the 88Nine on-air playlist, with one hand-picked selection put in the spotlight by a member of our music team.
The National collaborates with Taylor Swift on their latest single, "The Alcott," from the album "First Two Pages of Frankenstein," which is a captivating addition to both artists' repertoires. The track, a poignant and melancholic ballad, delves into the theme of a couple's attempt to rekindle their connection.
The National has gained a reputation for introspective music that leans into this type of emotional ground, often characterized as "sad dad" music, given the band's lyrical depth and approach to songwriting. For this track, frontman Matt Berninger sheds light on the song's inspiration, describing it as a perspective of one individual's endeavor to reconnect with another in an intimate setting, such as a hotel bar.
This introspective narrative lends an emotional depth to the lyrics, evoking a sense of longing and vulnerability:
I tell you my problems
You tell me the truth
It’s the last thing you wanted
It’s the first thing I do
The partnership between The National and Taylor Swift has blossomed in recent years, with Aaron Dessner's involvement as a producer on Taylor's July 2020 release, "Folklore." Given their successful prior collaborations, it comes as no surprise that Swift's talents shine brightly on this latest project.
This week’s other adds
- Abby Jeanne, "Sage and Cigarettes"
- Danielle Ponder, "Roll the Credits"
- Kiltro, "All The Time in the World"
- Tinariwen, "Tenere Den"
- Immy Owusu, "Flashback"
- Little Dragon, "Kenneth"
- Labrinth (feat. Billie Eilish), "Never Felt So Alone"
- billy woods, Kenny Segal (feat. Samuel T. Herring), "FaceTime"
- Westerman, "A Lens Turning"
- Madeline Kenney, "Superficial Conversation"
