“Day I Die” is the standout single on The National’s highly anticipated new record, Sleep Well Beast that released on Sept. 8.
After four years of silence, the Cincinnati boys are back and better than ever.
Their follow-up to 2013’s Trouble Will Find Me is well-crafted but also predictable. “Day I Die” is a head above the rest of the record because of its energy and uniqueness.
The new record has many slow, melodic, well-written ballads as per usual for The National. They have always written Death Cab for Cutie-esque records and done it well, but that’s not enough to stay relevant in 2017.
“I Need My Girl” was the fan-favorite from Trouble Will Find Me, and is still their top Spotify track, but it sounds exactly like every other song on that record.
Putting out “Day I Die” before the release of Sleep Well Beast was the right move from a marketing perspective. It translates well to alternative radio because it has the potential to engage fans of the genre that are not fans of the band.
It starts with electronic, modern production aspects, then bursts into a drum solo. The tempo does not parallel the rest of the record, but instead carries its own refreshing energy.
While “Day I Die” aims for some parts of the industry production norms, the lyrics are just as great as ever.
“I know you’re trying to help me but you’re just messing everybody up/Just let me have the courage now to turn the volume up inside my ears/For years I used to put my head inside the speakers/In the hallway when you get too drunk and talk forever.”
The nostalgia and honesty come across in this verse as well as the opening one.
“I was trying to keep my expectations low enough to walk across without breaking anybody's new mid-century chair/Young mothers love me even though some/Girlfriend calls me from Cleveland/They will meet me anytime and anywhere.”
The track repeatedly poses the thought-provoking question, “The day I die, where will we be?”, fulfilling the overthinking, big-picture narrative The National is infamous for, which is why I’m confident that early fans of the band are sure to be just as in love with this mildly experimental single as everybody else.
There’s no question in my mind that The National knows what makes it great, what it takes to write music with depth and how to make industry waves without selling out.
Halle Weber is a sophomore studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Did you listen to The National's new album? Let Halle know by tweeting at her @HalleWeber13.
