Get Sunk

“Get Sunk” Matt Berninger
Sophomore solo album for the lead singer-songwriter of noted indie band, The National. After 10 years of living in Southern California, Berninger moved his family to Connecticut — helping him to overcome creative block and produce a new album. Song lyrics find Berninger reflecting on his childhood in Ohio and summers on a relative’s farm in Indiana. The arrangements feature layers of piano, shimmering synths, acoustic guitar and powerful vocals. Guest artists include Meg Duffy (Hand Habits), Julia Laws (Ronboy), Booker T. Jones and many more. RIYL: The National, El Vy, War On Drugs, Phosphorescent, Bruce Springsteen.
— Francis

Highly recommended: 1, 3, 5, 10, 7, 8. FCCs on tracks 6 and 7 have been edited.

1. (4:54) Inland Ocean — Catchy, mid-tempo lead single. Pulsing and mesmerizing synths invite us into the cool, immersive depths. Berninger’s calming vocals are echoed by a large chorus. ****
2. (3:55) No Love — Lo-fi, scratchy hip-hop-based rhythm and chime-y piano. Berninger’s farewell to what he viewed as the shallowness of life in Venice Beach.
3. (4:47) Bonnet Of Pins — Driving up-tempo pop rock, reminiscent of the War On Drugs. Solid backbeat with searing, atmospheric guitar riffs and urgent lead vocals, backed by an anthemic chorus. ****
4. (4:09) Frozen Oranges — Surrealistic ballad. Shimmering keyboards, meandering drums and vocals wander through the enveloping soundscape.
5. (3:34) Breaking Into Acting — Pensive, acoustic piano-based duet, featuring the vocals of Meg Duffy (Hand Habits). Ethereal swirling synths create a gauzy warmth. ****
6. (4:59) Nowhere Special (Clean Edit) — Curious outlier. Rambling, mumbled, almost croaked vocals over a staccato, looping hip-hop beat.
7. (5:01) Little By Little (Clean Edit) — Lush, mournful Americana-flavored pop rock. Piano and minimalistic strummed guitar. Sustained keyboards added as the song builds. Could be a Bruce Springsteen tune. ***
8. (2:55) Junk — Up-tempo and melodic. Finger-picked guitar, bright harp and clarinet, with spare vocals over. ***
9. (3:54) Silver Jeep — Leisurely, laid-back bossa nova-flavored piano ballad. Strings, brass and beach sounds are layered in. L.A.-based singer-songwriter, Ronboy, contributes to the duet and harmonizes.
10. (5:20) Times Of Difficulty — Hypnotic, reflective closer. Piano, acoustic guitar and a hint of pedal steel. Soaring organ solo enhances the drama. Asks the question, “How long have we been staring out to sea?” ****
11. (4:59) Nowhere Special (Unedited) — FCC: shitty — Unedited version of track #6.
12. (5:01) Little By Little (Unedited) — FCC: Fuck it — Unedited version of track #7.