On April 28, 2023, “4AD” label released “First Two Pages of Frankenstein”, the ninth National (The) studio album. It was recorded in 2022, at “Long Pond” in Hudson Valley, New York, and was produced by Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Bryan Devendorf and Scott Devendorf.

Personnel:

• Matt Berninger
• Aaron Dessner
• Bryce Dessner – orchestration
• Bryan Devendorf
• Scott Devendorf
• Benjamin Lanz – touring member
• Kyle Resnick – touring member
• Sufjan Stevens – vocal
• Phoebe Bridgers – vocal
• Taylor Swift – vocal
• Thomas Bartlett
• Lisa Hannigan
• Curt Kiser
• James McAlister
• So Percussion (Josh Quillen, Adam Sliwinski, Jason Teuting, Eric Cha-Beach)
• Mina Tindle
• Andi Toma
• Jan St. Werner

London Contemporary Orchestra

• Robert Ames – conductor
• Harry George – copyist
• Cassandra Gurling – recording project manager
• Amy Hinds – orchestra manager
• Charlotte Marino – assistant orchestra manager
• Galya Bisengalieva – 1st violin
• Marianne Haynes – 1st violin
• Venetia Jollands – 1st violin
• Raja Halder – 1st violin
• Charis Jenson – 1st violin
• Ellie Consta – 1st violin
• Kirsty Mangan – 1st violin
• Nicole Crespo O’Donoghue – 1st violin
• Zahra Benyounes – 1st violin
• Agata Daraskaite – 1st violin
• Alexandra Caldon – 1st violin
• Anna Ovsyanikova – 1st violin
• Kirsty Mangan – 1st violin
• Juan Gonzalez – 1st violin
• Anna De Bruin – 1st violin
• Matthew Bain – 1st violin
• Gillon Cameron – 2nd violin
• Hazel Correa – 2nd violin
• Claire Hazelton – 2nd violin
• Guy Button – 2nd violin
• Mathhew Bain – 2nd violin
• Radhika De Saram – 2nd violin
• Mandhira De Saram – 2nd violin
• Radhika De Saram – 2nd violin
• Miles Brett – 2nd violin
• Claire Kennington – 2nd violin
• Akiko Ishikawa – 2nd violin
• Jonny Byers – cello
• Laura Moody – cello
• Rebecca Burden – cello
• Ashok Klouda – cello
• Sergio Serra – cello
• Peteris Sokolovskis – cello
• Max Ruisi – cello
• Louise McMonagle – cello
• Daisy Vatalaro – cello 
• Jonathan Low – recording, mixing
• Bella Blasko – recording
• James McAlister – additional production
• Tony Berg – additional vocal production 
• Sean O’Brien – additional vocal recording
• Will Maclellan – additional vocal recording
• Adam Armstrong – additional recording
• David Chalmin – additional recording
• Greg Giorgio – additional recording
• Peter Katis – additional recording
• Matt Latchaw – additional recording
• Jake Merritt – additional recording
• Matt Poirier – additional recording
• Ber Quinn – additional recording
• Ben Rice – additional recording
• Chad Wahlbrink – additional recording
• Jeremy Murphy – orchestra recording
• Liam Hebb – assistant orchestra recording
• Fiona Cruickshank – orchestra recording
• Laura Beck – assistant orchestra recording
• Greg Calbi – mastering
• Steve Fallone – mastering
• Pentagram (Luke Hayman, Shigeto Akiyama, Gracia Lee)
• John Solimine – cover photography of Lou Solimine
• Josh Goleman – band photography

Track listing:

1. Once Upon a Poolside – Matt Barninger, Carin Besser, Bryce Dessner
2. Eucalyptus – Matt Berninger, Bryce Dessner
3. New Order T-Shirt – Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner
4. This Isn’t Helping – Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner
5.  Tropic Morning News – Matt Berninger, Carin Besser, Aaron Dessner
6. Alien – Matt Berninger, Carin Besser, Bryce Dessner
7. The Alcott – Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Taylor Swift
8. Grease in Your Hair – Matt Berninger, Carin Besser, Aaron Dessner
9. Ice Machines – Matt Berninger, Carin Besser, Aaron Dessner
10. Your Mind Is Not Your Friend – Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner
11. Send for Me – Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner