Matt Berninger, lead singer and lyricist of The National, contributed to the Folklore and Evermore sessions through his connection with bandmate Aaron Dessner. Berninger co-wrote 'coney island,' a wistful track on Evermore that features his distinctive baritone alongside Taylor's vocals. His literary approach to songwriting — The National are celebrated for their complex, emotionally layered lyrics — aligned naturally with the more introspective, character-driven songwriting Taylor was pursuing during the pandemic-era albums. The collaboration represented a meeting of two songwriting traditions: Nashville narrative and Brooklyn indie-literary.
Stats
Songs
1
Albums
1
Role
Writer
Songwriting Style
Literary indie rock. Dense, layered lyrics that reward close reading, baritone vocal delivery, and an emotional register that lives in the space between melancholy and hope.
