More music to cry to after a long, hard day is coming your way soon! American rock band, The National has announced their ninth studio album called “First Two Pages of Frankenstein” which will be released April twenty ninth. This eleven song album is highly anticipated with special guest features Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers, and Taylor Swift. The National’s new single “Tropic Morning News” is out now and is quickly building up anticipation for the upcoming album. On their Instagram they also announced an exciting surprise, including in the caption of their post on January eighteenth, “we are embarking on a world tour this year in support of the new album”, beginning this year in May, and ending in October with indie rock bands Soccer Mommy Band, The Beths, and Bartees Strange joining alongside them. This announcement has caused a lot of excitement on the internet with one person commenting, “literally shaking and crying right now” and another saying, “What is the holy trinity is this?! TAYLOR, PHOEBE, AND SUFJAN OMGGGG”.  

The National is a Grammy award winning rock band originating in Cincinnati, Ohio but formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1999. The band consists of Matt Berninger, twin brothers Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner, as well as brothers Scott Devendorf and Bryan Devendorf because America always needs more sad man bands. The National is best known for their unique, almost coming of age genre in the music that they put out. 

The track list for “First Two Pages of Frankenstein” is…  

1. Once Upon A Poolside (featuring Sufjan Stevens)  

1. Eucalyptus  

1. New Order T-Shirt  

1. This Isn’t Helping (featuring Phoebe Bridgers)  

1. Tropic Morning News  

1. Alien  

1. The Alcott (featuring Taylor Swift)  

1. Grease In Your Hair  

1. Ice Machines  

1. Your Mind Is Not Your Friend (featuring Phoebe Bridgers)  

1. Send For Me  

The artists that have collaborated to make this album truly capture the art of feeling misery and despair, something that speaks to many listeners who want to hear a different perspective in the tunes they hear. Some fans speculate that “This Isn’t Helping” may be a sequel to Taylor Swift’s gut wrenching song featuring The National called “Coney Island” on her 2020 album “folklore”. Sufjan Stevens is most well known for the songs “Fourth of July” as well as “Visions and Gideon” which was included in the soundtrack of the award winning box office hit “Call Me By Your Name”. Phoebe Bridgers is the most popular for her songs including “Scott Street” and “I Know the End”. With artists such as these, making the most screaming on your bathroom floor, shaking, sobbing, melancholy, heartbreaking songs, this album’s announcement makes it a great day for sad people.  

Though it was advertised as a “world tour”, the list of tour dates for “First Two Pages of Frankenstein” is rather limited, creating an uproar with some diehard fans. However, there may be a show near you, including here at the Fillmore in Michigan, with more affordable tickets than you may think. The tour date goes as follows:  

Saturday, May 20th, Chicago, Illinois, Auditorium Theatre  

Sunday, May 21st, Chicago, Illinois, Auditorium Theatre  

Wednesday, May 24th, Washington, DC, The Anthem  

Friday, May 26th, Boston, Massachusetts, Boston Calling Music Festival  

Sunday, May 28th, Napa, California, BottleRock Festival  

Tuesday, May 30th, Los Angeles, California, Greek Theatre  

Friday, June 2nd, Troutdale, Oregon, McMenamins Edgefield  

Saturday, June 3rd, Troutdale, Oregon, McMenamins Edgefield  

Sunday, June 4th, Redmond, Washington, Marymoor Park  

Monday, June 5th, Burnaby, Canada, Deer Lake Park  

Tuesday, August 1st, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Met  

Thursday, August 3rd, New Haven, Connecticut, Westville Music Bowl  

Monday, August 7th, Detroit, Michigan, The Fillmore  

Tuesday, August 8th, Madison, Wisconsin, The Sylvee  

Wednesday, August 9th, Minneapolis, Minnesota, The Armory  

Friday, August 11th, Denver, Colorado, Mission Ballroom  

Tuesday, August 15th, Nashville, Tennessee, Ascend Amphitheater  

Wednesday August 16th, Atlanta, Georgia, Cadence Bank Amphitheatre  

Friday, August 18th, New York, New York, Madison Square Garden  

Thursday, September 21st, Dublin, Ireland, 3Arena  

Saturday, September 23rd, Leeds, UK, First Direct Arena  

Sunday, September 24th, Glasgow, UK, OVO Hydro Arena  

Tuesday, September 26th, London, UK, Alexandra Palace  

Friday, September 29th, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ziggo Dome  

Saturday, September 30th, Berlin, Germany, Max-Schmeling-Halle  

Sunday, October 1st, Munich, Germany, Zenith  

Wednesday, October 4th, Madrid, Spain, WiZink Center  

Thursday, October 5th, Porto, Portugal, Super Bock Arena  

Friday, October 6th, Lisbon, Portugal, Campo Pequeno  

Fans are hoping for The National to extend their tour and add on a few more dates, but it is unknown if they will. Either way, 2023 looks like it is going to be a great year for new music.