Boxer

Boxer, released in 2007, finds The National refining their blend of indie rock, chamber pop, and post-punk influences into a restrained, atmospheric album. Matt Berninger's baritone vocals and introspective lyrics sit against interlocking guitars, a taut rhythm section, and subtle brass and string touches, producing a mood of melancholic intensity and careful dynamics. The record is often regarded as a turning point that helped consolidate the hushed, dramatic sound that became central to the band's identity.