The National continues to reveal unheard material recorded during sessions for its most recent album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, the latest being the surprise new single “Space Invader” / “Alphabet City.” The former song has been a part of the band’s live repertoire since last year, while “Alphabet City” has yet to be performed. Both tracks arrive with visualizers from group member Bryce Dessner’s wife Pauline de Lassus, who records music under the name Minda Tindle.
Last August, the group released the non-album single “Weird Goodbyes” featuring Bon Iver, months before the arrival of First Two Pages of Frankenstein. The National has also been playing several other new songs on tour this year, including “Deep End,” “Smoke Detector,” and “Hornets,” although it’s unknown if they are intended for yet another future album.
As previously reported, the group will perform tomorrow (Aug. 18) for the first time at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The National will also host its Homecoming Festival in its Cincinnati hometown on Sept. 15-16, at which it will perform its albums High Violet and Trouble Will Find Me in full in tandem with performances from Patti Smith, Pavement, and the Walkmen.
