‘Where do The National go from here?’ is what echoed after the release of their previous studio album ‘High Violet’ in 2010. Arena tours? With their expansive back catalogue and their new mainstream success now behind them, possibly. Cult heroes? With their huge fan base of everyone from hipsters in skinny jeans to Dad Rock lovers rediscovery their groove, probably.
They are in fact somewhere in between the two. Arena shows dotted across an expansive 2013 tour The National have been growing from strength to strength ever since Boxer was released. It was critically acclaimed, and by some listed as the best album of the decade, and similar pressure grew around the band before the release of High Violet, which arrived with more of the same, where nothing disappointed.
Trouble Will Find Me is the band’s sixth studio album, and one that far from disappoints. Released at a time where marketing campaigns reign supreme (I’m looking at you Daft Punk), to try and capture mainstream success. The band could have found this a struggle. However, this record is everything you want and more, from anthems like Sea of Love to classic National songs such as Demons and I Need My Girl. It provides a full cultural experience.
Yes there is never one album where every song is incredible; there is always a filler. Even a filler on a National record is still slicker than your average.
Where the charts are dominated by pop acts loved by one half, and then complained about by the other half, Trouble Will Find Me is a refreshing change for the latter. The National have returned with another classic record and proves that they are here to stay.
10/11
@thejoeeley
