Last November, good-natured mope rockers the National announced they were in the early stages writing a new record they described as "brighter" and "a little bit harsher” than past works. On tour over the weekend, the quintet dipped a toe into its next album cycle, premiering a pair of new tracks.
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First off, watch them perform a spry new song called “The Day I Die” at Hamilton, Ontario’s Centenary United Church. The cameraperson was right up front at the Canadian show (a benefit for local Syrian refugees) and got some solid footage of the band at work.
According to Setlist.fm, “The Day I Die” was also played the following evening at Toronto’s FieldTrip Fest.
That same night, the National performed a second new song, which you can watch a brief clip of above. A rep from the band confirmed to Stereogum that this one is called “Sometimes I Don’t Think” -- also evidenced by their last two set lists:
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The National has European and U.S. tour dates scheduled through Aug. 12. Their last studio album was 2013’s Trouble Will Find Me.
