SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MATT BERNINGER – GET SKUNK

MATT BERNINGER
GET SKUNK
CONCORD RECORDS

With The National’s recent resurgence, there’s an increasing demand to hear songs from Matt Berninger’s pen, and that’s prompted a second solo album, following 2020’s Serpentine Prison.

What follows is a considered mix of introspective songwriting, lush musicianship (the whole album feels like it’s inside a concert hall, such is the depth and reverberation of the sound, it really is a beautiful-sounding record) and some unexpectedly upbeat hooks. “Bonnet Of Pins”, in particular, could honestly be a song of a summer of romance, and in a world more concerned with artistry, would be the song of the summer. “Inland Ocean” has similar single-like tunefulness, and is a fine opener.

Berninger’s distinctive crooning baritone is stamped through this, and he bends his usual lyrical primrose paths all over the duration, too. There’s nothing to criticise here really for those who are fans of either The National or Berninger in general, as it’s introspective, lyrically beautiful, and achingly personal to each listener as only he can be.

The most criticism one can give something like this is it breaks no new ground, and indeed, “Frozen Oranges” feels very early National, but you wouldn’t buy or listen to this album if that isn’t what you wanted. Berninger continues to deliver, in what’s been a busy two-year stretch, but if the quality’s this good, who cares?

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