The National Surprise Release New Album 'Laugh Track'
Monday, 18 September 2023
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Graham MacIndoe
The National have surprise released a new album.
'Laugh Track' was recorded during the same sessions as the Brooklyn band's ninth studio record, The 'First Two Pages Of Frankenstein', which was released back in April.
Available now digitally, with a vinyl release following in November, it's billed as the second half of its predecessor and boasts guest spots from Phoebe Bridgers, Rosanne Cash and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, who featured on their 2022 single Weird Goodbyes.
The group revealed details of the project during their set at Homecoming Festival in Cincinnati on Friday night (September 15). Frontman Matt Berninger told the crowd:
"We have a new record coming out, it comes out Sunday night at midnight. The new record is called 'Laugh Track', and we have some pre-pressed vinyls here on your way out. The vinyl doesn’t come out 'til November. But you guys can get vinyl here, tonight."
Check out the tracklist and cover below, next to new song Deep End (Paul's in Pieces), which offers a more urgent sound to the gentler material released earlier this year.
Alongside the news, the band have added dates in Phoenix, Albuquerque and Tulsa to their run of US shows this fall. Tickets go on general sale at 10am local time on September 22. They've also announced spring concerts in Australia with Fleet Foxes, which go on general sale at 12pm local time on the same date. They'll kick off a previously scheduled run of shows across the UK and Europe later in September.
'Laugh Track' tracklist:
1. Alphabet City
2. Deep End (Paul’s in Pieces)
3. Weird Goodbyes [featuring Bon Iver]
4. Turn Off the House
5. Dreaming
6. Laugh Track [featuring Phoebe Bridgers]
7. Space Invader
8. Hornets
9. Coat on a Hook
10. Tour Manager
11. Crumble [featuring Rosanne Cash]
12. Smoke Detector
The National Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Thu September 21 2023 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Sat September 23 2023 - LEEDS first direct Arena
Sun September 24 2023 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Tue September 26 2023 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
Wed September 27 2023 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
Fri September 29 2023 - AMSTERDAM Ziggo Dome (Netherlands)
Sat September 30 2023 - BERLIN Max Schmeling Halle (Germany)
Sun October 01 2023 - MUNICH Zenith (Germany)
Wed October 04 2023 - MADRID Wizink Center (Spain)
Thu October 05 2023 - PORTO Super Bock Arena (Portugal)
Fri October 06 2023 - LISBON Campo Pequeno (Portugal)
Fri November 10 2023 - SAN FRANCISCO California - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (USA)
Sat November 11 2023 - SAN DIEGO California - Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre (USA) Mon November 13 2023 - PHOENIX Arizona - Arizona Financial Theatre (USA)
Tue November 14 2023 - ALBUQUERQUE New Mexico - Kiva Auditorium (USA)
Thu November 16 2023 - TULSA Oklahoma - Tulsa Theatre (USA)
Fri November 17 2023 - AUSTIN Texas - Moody Center ATX (USA)
Sat November 18 2023 - HOUSTON Texas - Pulse Power Stage on the Lawn at White Oak Music Hall - Complex (USA)
Sun November 19 2023 - IRVING Texas - Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (USA)
Wed February 28 2024 - BRISBANE Riverstage
Fri March 01 2024 - SYDNEY Aware Super Theatre
Tue March 05 2024 - MELBOURNE Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Sat March 09 2024 - PERTH Kings Park and Botanic Garden
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
