music influence explorer
Music discovery · Influence explorer

Artists like The National — and the music that made them

Indie Rock · 1999-present
Melancholic indie rock masters of anxious, wine-soaked introspection
The National are a Cincinnati-formed, Brooklyn-based indie rock band led by Matt Berninger's baritone vocals and the Dessner brothers' intricate arrangements. They've become synonymous with intelligent, emotionally complex rock that captures modern adult anxiety and relationships with literary precision.
Essential tracks
Bloodbuzz Ohio
I Need My Girl
Fake Empire
Did you know
Matt Berninger often drinks wine on stage and has fallen into the crowd multiple times during performances
Twin brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner are both accomplished classical composers who've worked with orchestras worldwide
Their song 'Fake Empire' became an unofficial anthem for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign
“Baritone melancholy wrapped in intricate arrangements and wine-soaked introspection.”
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
Joy Division
1976-1980
cited
R.E.M.
1980-2011
cited
Pavement
1989-1999
sonic
The Velvet Underground
1964-1973
movement
Leonard Cohen
1967-2016
sonic
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
1983-present
sonic
↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.
What makes the sound
Sonic elements
Matt Berninger's distinctive baritone vocals
Dessner brothers' layered guitar work
Minimalist rhythmic precision
Literary wine-and-anxiety lyricism
Start with these tracks
Bloodbuzz Ohio
I Need My Girl
Fake Empire
Terrible Love
If you like The National, try these
Interpol
They share post-punk revival sensibilities with literary, brooding atmospheres.
2000s · Post-Punk Revival
Spoon
Both craft meticulous indie rock with distinctive vocals and rhythmic precision.
1990s-2010s · Indie Rock
Arcade Fire
They create expansive indie anthems with emotional weight and orchestral touches.
2000s-2010s · Indie Rock
Belle and Sebastian
Both feature introspective songwriting with sophisticated pop arrangements and melancholy.
1990s-2000s · Indie Pop
Vampire Weekend
They share cerebral indie rock with literary lyrics and experimental production flourishes.
2000s-2010s · Indie Rock
Death Cab for Cutie
Both offer contemplative indie rock with vulnerable vocals and relationship-focused lyrics.
1990s-2000s · Indie Rock
About this page

Music like The National — The National are a Cincinnati-formed, Brooklyn-based indie rock band led by Matt Berninger's baritone vocals and the Dessner brothers' intricate arrangements. They've become synonymous with intelligent, emotionally complex rock that captures modern adult anxiety and relationships with literary precision.

Artists like The National today include Interpol, Spoon, Arcade Fire, Belle and Sebastian. 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.