The National

While indie rock stalwarts the National emerged from Brooklyn in the early 2000s amidst a garage rock revival that included bands like the Strokes, the Walkmen, and, in the U.K., the Libertines, they distinguished themselves by drawing from a wider set of influences. Merging elements of alternative country-rock, Americana, and chamber pop as well as post-punk into their moody, crafted indie rock, their earliest albums won a dedicated fan base and critical praise before they made an impact on the charts with their fourth LP, 2007's Boxer. It marked a gradual shift away from some of their more rustic influences, as they embraced a more expansive, orchestral sound behind the literate lyrics and brooding vocals of frontman Matt Berninger. An album-oriented band that had yet to land on the Hot 100, the National catapulted into the Top Three of the album charts in multiple countries with 2010's High Violet. They have remained a Top Three act throughout the decade, which included the still more expansive, Grammy-winning Sleep Well Beast from 2017. The National returned in May 2019 with their eighth studio album, I Am Easy to Find. Inspired by a collaboration with filmmaker Mike Mills, the album also showcased cameos by a number of female vocalists, including Gail Ann Dorsey, Eve Owen, and Sharon Van Etten.