Laugh Track

by The National

Overview

Arriving swiftly on the heels of First Two Pages of Frankenstein, Laugh Track is indeed a companion record to its 2023 cousin, boasting similar cover art and containing songs written -- but not necessarily recorded -- during those same sessions. Given those overt similarities, it's not a surprise that Laugh Track often sounds like a continuation of Frankenstein, tilling the same meditative ground and generating similarly nuanced results. The National remains fascinated by the consoling power of stillness, operating at a low hum that allows space for Matt Berninger to ruminate as the band searches for variations of texture within cycling chords. Laugh Track isn't quite as tightly controlled as Frankenstein, often for the record's benefit. Some of this creeping loosening is due to collaborators who make their presence known: "Weird Goodbyes" occupies the slight liminal space separating the National and Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers provides a forceful counterpoint on "Laugh Track," and Rosanne Cash's harmonies and bridge on "Crumble" tease out its plaintive heartbreak. The rest of Laugh Track simmers at a precisely modulated temperature, bringing the songs to warmth slowly and steadily, which makes the ragged drone of the closing "Smoke Detector" so welcome: its insistent pulse and maze of guitars feel full-blooded and messy in a way the National has avoided for a long, long time. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/17/2023
Label:	4Ad / American Mary
UPC:	0191400067929

Tracks

1. Alphabet City
2. Deep End (Paul's in Pieces)
3. Weird Goodbyes
4. Turn Off the House
5. Dreaming
6. Laugh Track
7. Space Invader
8. Hornets
9. Coat on a Hook
10. Tour Manager
11. Crumble
12. Smoke Detector

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The National   Primary Artist
Alexandra Caldon   Violin
Eric Cha-Beach   Percussion
Anna Ovsyanikova   Violin
Nicole Crespo O'Donoghue   Violin
Eleonora Consta   Violin
Matthew Bain   Violin
Rebecca Burden   Cello
Bryce Dessner   Orchestra
Bon Iver   Vocals,Featured Artist
Juan Gonzalez   Violin
Jason Treuting   Percussion
Adam Sliwinski   Percussion
Sergio Serra   Cello
Laura Moody   Cello
Josh Quillen   Percussion
Jonny Byers   Cello
Marianne Haynes   Violin
Daisy Vatalaro   Cello
Louise McMonagle   Cello
Kirsty Mangan   Violin
London Contemporary Orchestra   Orchestra
Ashok Klouda   Cello
Galya Bisengalieva   Violin
Robert Ames   Conductor
Peteris Sokolovskis   Cello
Phoebe Bridgers   Vocals,Featured Artist
Max Ruisi   Cello
Anna de Bruin   Violin
Zara Benyounes   Violin
Charis Jenson   Violin
Raja Halder   Violin
Venetia Jollands   Violin
Agata Daraskaite   Violin

Technical Credits

Stu Tenold   Engineer
Cassandra Gurling   Project Manager
Matt Poirier   Engineer
Gracia Lee   Design
Jake Merritt   Engineer
Shigeto Akiyama   Design
Alex Hornbeck   Engineer
Ryan Bridenstine   Engineer
Taylor Pescatore   Engineer
Scott Devendorf   Group Member
Aaron Dessner   Composer,Group Member
Matt Berninger   Composer,Group Member
Bryce Dessner   Composer,Engineer,Group Member
Greg Calbi   Mastering
Tucker Martine   Engineer,Additional Production
Jan St. Werner   Engineer
Peter Katis   Engineer,Additional Production
The National   Producer
Thomas Bartlett   Engineer
James McAlister   Engineer,Additional Production
Andi Toma   Engineer
Bryan Devendorf   Group Member
Steve Fallone   Mastering
Jonathan Low   Mixing,Engineer
Carin Besser   Composer
David Chalmin   Engineer
Harry George   Copyist
Ben Rice   Engineer
Adam Armstrong   Engineer
Pentagram   Design
Mina Tindle   Engineer
Chad Wahlbrink   Engineer
Bella Blasko   Engineer
John Solimine   Photography
Ber Quinn   Engineer
Luke Hayman   Design