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Artists like The National — and the music that made them

Indie Rock · 1999-present
Melancholic indie rock masters with baritone vulnerability and literary precision
The National are a Cincinnati-formed, Brooklyn-based indie rock band led by Matt Berninger's distinctive baritone vocals and introspective lyrics about middle-aged anxiety, relationships, and modern malaise. Their meticulous craft and emotional depth have made them critical darlings and festival headliners, influencing a generation of indie rock with their sophisticated blend of melancholy and hope.
Essential tracks
Bloodbuzz Ohio
I Need My Girl
The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness
Did you know
Matt Berninger often performs while drinking wine and has fallen off stage multiple times during shows
Two sets of brothers are in the band: Aaron and Bryce Dessner, and Scott and Bryan Devendorf
They wrote the soundtrack for the 2019 Game of Thrones-inspired mobile game 'Reigns: Game of Thrones'
“Baritone vulnerability meets orchestral indie rock in melancholic literary perfection.”
2
generations
of influence
Influence tree
Trace The National's roots back through history
Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.
The National
1999-present
R.E.M.
1980-2011
cited
Pavement
1989-1999
cited
Radiohead
1985-present
sonic
Joy Division
1976-1980
sonic
The Cure
1978-present
sonic
Sonic Youth
1981-2011
movement
Leonard Cohen
1967-2016
cited
The Velvet Underground
1964-1973
movement
↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.
What makes the sound
Sonic elements
Matt Berninger's deep baritone vocals
Intricate guitar arpeggios and interplay
Orchestral arrangements and strings
Literary and introspective lyrics
Start with these tracks
Bloodbuzz Ohio
I Need My Girl
Fake Empire
The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness
If you like The National, try these
Interpol
Post-punk revival peers with similar brooding atmospherics and guitar interplay.
2000s · Post-Punk Revival
Arcade Fire
Grand orchestral indie rock with emotional intensity and literary songwriting.
2000s · Indie Rock
Spoon
Precise indie rock craftsmanship with understated emotional depth.
1990s-2000s · Indie Rock
Death Cab for Cutie
Introspective lyrics and melodic indie rock with melancholic undertones.
1990s-2000s · Indie Rock
Editors
2000s · Post-Punk Revival
Franz Ferdinand
Angular guitar work and sophisticated songcraft from the indie revival era.
2000s · Post-Punk Revival
About this page

Music like The National — The National are a Cincinnati-formed, Brooklyn-based indie rock band led by Matt Berninger's distinctive baritone vocals and introspective lyrics about middle-aged anxiety, relationships, and modern malaise. Their meticulous craft and emotional depth have made them critical darlings and festival headliners, influencing a generation of indie rock with their sophisticated blend of melancholy and hope.

Artists like The National today include Interpol, Arcade Fire, Spoon, Death Cab for Cutie. If you enjoy The National, these artists share similar sonic qualities, influences, and emotional range.

Bands like The National and songs like The National are among the most searched music discovery queries — rootz.guru goes deeper by tracing the roots of the sound itself, not just surface-level similarity.