The National

Boxer

[4/5] Brooklyn, New York, may be best known for Pitchfork-approved acts like TV On The Radio and Yeah Yeah Yeahs-and anyone whose paid a visit to Williamsburg can confirm that aesthetic is still going strong, even if the media has largely moved on. However, throughout this musical explosion, the National have been quietly perfecting their own brand of expansive indie rock, culminating with their latest release Boxer. Frontman Matt Berninger’s half-spoken vocals evoke vintage Lou Reed as he spits out caustic barbs like, “Oh, you wouldn’t want an angel watching over you/Surprise, surprise, they wouldn’t want to watch,” as the rest of the band mirror the moody nature of the lyrics via genius arrangements, subtle layering and an overwhelming feeling of melancholy that’s ultimately strangely reassuring. Sometimes, the hype is right. (BEGGARS BANQUET) Jonah Bayer