The National have announced their new album, 'First Two Pages of Frankenstein', featuring Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens

The National have announced the details of their ninth studio album, 'First Two Pages of Frankenstein'.

Set for release on 28th April via 4AD, the 11-track record features guest appearances from Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens and was recorded at Long Pond Studios on upstate New York.

A press release explains 'First Two Pages of Frankenstein' was initially stalled while lead singer Matt Berninger navigated, “a very dark spot where I couldn’t come up with lyrics or melodies at all. Even though we’d always been anxious whenever we were working on a record, this was the first time it ever felt like maybe things really had come to an end.” Instead, The National “managed to come back together and approach everything from a different angle, and because of that we arrived at what feels like a new era for the band,” according to guitarist/pianist Bryce Dessner.

The news comes with the upbeat 'Tropic Morning News'. “When Matt came in with that song in the depths of his depression, it felt like a turning point for us,” says Aaron Dessner. “It’s almost Dylan-esque in its lyrics and it’s so much fun to play; everything suddenly felt like it was coming alive again.”

Co-written with Berninger’s wife Carin Besser, “Tropic Morning News” takes its title from a phrase Besser invented to describe the regrettably routine practice of doomscrolling. “The idea of referring to the darkness of the news in such a light way unlocked something in me,” says Berninger. “It became a song about having a hard time expressing yourself, and trying to connect with someone when the noise of the world is drowning out any potential for conversation.”