The National’s new album First Two Pages Of Frankenstein is out now. That means so is “The Alcott,” their new tune that includes Taylor Swift. We have already got in depth proof of what Swift appears like over Aaron Dessner manufacturing, and we’ve even heard her duet with Matt Berninger on the evermore monitor “Coney Island.” Now we get to see what occurs when she’s decidedly on the National’s turf reasonably than welcoming them into her world.
The result’s a trembling gradual jam that sounds not not like a Taylor Swift tune however can be very a lot a National tune. In my overview of the album, I described it like so:
“The Alcott” begins as one more piano ballad a few romance on the brink: “And the last thing you wanted/ Is the first thing I do,” Berninger and Swift sing collectively. “I tell you my problems/ You tell me the truth.” As the tune creeps slowly towards its climax, it comes alive. Swift darts into the area between Berninger’s traces, crafting the opposite half of a dialogue, echoing each phrase with unmistakably Swiftian sentiments like “Could it be easy this once?” and “I love this curse on our house.” Some will discover it corny — particularly the conclusion, “I think I’m falling back in love with you” — however for me it’s proof that the National can nonetheless efficiently shake up their method generally.
Stream “The Alcott” beneath together with the complete album, which additionally options Sufjan Stevens and Phoebe Bridgers in supporting roles.
First Two Pages Of Frankenstein is out now on 4AD.