The National - The Virginia EP

A window into the creative soul of the Boxer era.

Originally released as a companion piece to the 2008 documentary A Skin, A Night, the Virginia EP has long been a sought-after collection for fans of The National’s most iconic period. For the first time on vinyl, this EP gathers the loose threads of the Boxer sessions, offering a deep dive into the band’s creative process. It is a rich compilation of rarities that proves the band’s "cutting room floor" material is just as essential as their studio albums.

The tracklist features a haunting array of demos for standouts like "Slow Show" and "Tall Saint," alongside the fan-favorite original "Santa Clara." The EP also showcases the band’s versatility with a somber, reworked cover of Bruce Springsteen’s "Mansion on the Hill" and a selection of visceral live recordings from their 2007 performance at Brussels’ Ancienne Belgique. From intimate radio sessions to expansive live finales like "About Today," the Virginia EP captures a band finding their footing as one of the world’s most formidable indie-rock acts. This is a mandatory piece of history for any collector looking to bridge the gap between Boxer and High Violet.