Having fronted The National for more than two decades, Matt Berninger is today regarded as one of the most cherished singers in American alt-rock. In 2020, his solo debut ‘Serpentine Prison’ was a welcome lockdown surprise, albeit not the finished article. Five years and two albums with his band later, Berninger has bettered himself with the fantastic ‘Get Sunk’, which is textured and vulnerable, heart-aching and, eventually, therapeutic.
Recorded with producer Sean O’Brien, the process for his second LP began during a bout of depression and writer’s block. Soon enough, the singer created a batch of songs under the title ‘Get Sunk’ to soundtrack this moment of personal difficulty.
The end result is deeply impressive. Inland Ocean begins on a soothing note, with Julia Laws’ harmonies creating an idyllic backdrop to cut back against Berninger’s despair. “God loves the inland ocean / Lost cause, I have no emotion," he sings.
No Love then offers a change in its frantic rhythmic patterns, blissful pianos and euphoric chorus. On Bonnet of Pins the tempo differs again with a heavier rock sound, contrasting nicely with Berninger’s croaky vocals to double down on the record’s gloomy vibe.
After a strong start, the quality continues into the album’s midsection. Frozen Oranges is minimalistic and mournful, containing the sort of understated emotional draw that Berninger made his name with. Two tracks on and Nowhere Special is another captivating moment — the moody aesthetic complements the vocalist’s detached vocals and almost incoherent verse delivery.
Times of Difficulty feels like a fitting way to wrap up. Over a gorgeous, layered arrangement Berninger lays himself bare one final time with the repeated refrain of the song’s title playing us out. The National’s 2023 twin releases — ‘First Two Pages of Frankenstein’ and ‘Laugh Track’ — are widely regarded as blots on an otherwise glowing report card. Two years on, Berninger rights those perceived wrongs with a record that glows with warmth and uplifting melancholia.
Matt Berninger Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri August 22 2025 - DUBLIN Vicar Street
Sat August 23 2025 - DUBLIN Vicar Street
Mon August 25 2025 - GLASGOW SWG3 Galvanizers Yard
Tue August 26 2025 - MANCHESTER Albert Hall
Wed August 27 2025 - LONDON Troxy
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!
