I’ve just made the acquaintance of The National’s new release, High Violet. Though I’ve only heard the entire album a few times, I feel as though I’ve listened to and loved this CD for years. Which is not to say that High Violet is a throwback or an imitation—rather, it feels grounded and oddly familiar, thanks in large part to Matt Berninger’s earthy baritone. This album is contemplative without being cloying, yearning without being whiny. It deserves the international attention it’s getting.

Bio: Elizabeth Onusko is Guernica’s assistant publisher. Read her last recommendation of the album LateNightTales “here”:https://guernicamag.com/blog/1673/elizabeth_onusko_latenighttale/.