New Track By The National, Album Out May 11

The odd little geometric explosion you see to the left is the cover art for the new single by The National. Also oddly named, the song "Bloodbuzz Ohio" will be on the forthcoming album High Violet on 4AD due out May 11.

The song is a classic National rocker, kicking off with insistent drumming and oncoming keyboards that swell into Matt Berninger's forlorn baritone. His lyrics are a snapshot; "lay my head on the hood of your car" sketches his memory of a loss that is as intimate as his lover's heartbeat. As many poets, he invents his own language when he is searching for the right word. Tonight, he is on a bloodbuzz with bees humming in his ears, propelled by more than liquid courage. Berninger's strength has always been in repetition, punching each point he makes, pushed by barroom piano, thumping bass and that awesome drumbeat. It is obvious that The National has grown into a more assured band and, lucky us, new songs like this will always be available, now and in the future.

Download the track here for free.