The National - High Violet

A grand, haunted masterpiece of the modern indie-rock canon.

High Violet is the moment The National truly stepped into the light—even if that light was cast in shades of deep purple and charcoal grey. It is a "nervy, melodic, explosive, and beautiful" collection of songs that finds the band at the absolute apex of their collaborative powers. While their previous work was rooted in the grit of the city, High Violet feels wide-ranging and atmospheric, shifting effortlessly from the intimate, piano-led hush of "Exile Vilify" to the rough, expansive roar of "Terrible Love." It is an album defined by stark angles and a sense of being perpetually "haunted"—by love, by paranoia, and by the suburban ghosts of the modern age.

Despite being one of the band’s most "thematically twisted" records, High Violet remains their most infectious and immediate. Matt Berninger’s vocals—alternating between a sly whisper and a wild, half-broken shout—anchor the record in a deep, relatable humanity. Meanwhile, the Dessner and Devendorf brothers provide a sonic backdrop that is both spare and symphonic, creating an environment where songs like "Bloodbuzz Ohio" and "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" can become anthems of a generation. Whether you’re listening for the intricate, driving rhythms or the lush, orchestral swells, High Violet stands as a monumental achievement in 21st-century rock.