The National Trouble Will Find Me

Since their 2001 debut, the world-weary baritone of National frontman and songwriter Matt Berninger has developed into one of the most compelling voices in Brooklyn’s well-groomed indie scene, begging comparisons to darkly tempered rock outsiders like Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. The follow-up to 2010’s celebrated High Violet is a set of beautifully produced contemplations on shadowy love, self-destruction and urban ennui. Chipper? Hardly. But songs like “Demons”, “Heavenfaced” and “I Need My Girl” are impossible to shake.