The National's seventh studio album, Sleep Well Beast, is a masterfully crafted record that showcases the band's ability to create expansive and moody soundscapes. Released on 8 September 2017 via 4AD, this 12-track album is a testament to the band's growth and experimentation, marking a new chapter in their discography.
With a duration of 57 minutes, Sleep Well Beast takes the listener on a journey through a range of emotions, from the heartwarming and touching to the bitter and venomous. The album's tracklist, which includes standout tracks like "The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness", "Guilty Party", and "Carin at the Liquor Store", demonstrates the band's skill in crafting songs that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Produced by Aaron Dessner, Sleep Well Beast features a more chaotic and experimental sound than The National's previous works, incorporating synths and other uncharacteristic elements to create a sense of tension and unease. This newfound sonic complexity adds depth and nuance to the band's signature indie rock sound, making for a truly immersive listening experience.
Throughout the album, lead singer Matt Berninger's distinctive vocals bring a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, drawing the listener into the band's world of melancholic introspection and poetic storytelling. With Sleep Well Beast, The National have created an album that is both a natural progression of their sound and a bold step into new territory, cementing their reputation as one of the most innovative and compelling indie rock bands of their generation.
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