The National's Frontman Drops Surprise EP with Covers and a Lyric Change
Matt Berninger of The National has released a new EP titled Type It Up, featuring covers of New Order's “Blue Monday” and Velvet Underground's “Who Loves the Sun,” with Rosanne Cash on the latter. The EP includes his recent single “Martini Me Fatso” and a new track “Ask for Water.” Berninger explained he swapped the chorus of the title track after listeners misheard a lyric.
The EP arrives as a direct byproduct of Berninger's recent touring cycle, with the frontman noting that he adjusted lyrics and song structures nightly during live performances, using audience and social media reactions as real-time guidance. The title track's chorus was rewritten entirely after listeners repeatedly misheard a line about typography as a humorous wardrobe confession, prompting Berninger to lean into the joke with a self-deprecating response about his fashion preferences.
The collection gathers material released across different platforms throughout the year, including an Amazon Music exclusive cover and a song that premiered on Australian television. The tracklist also features a vinyl-only acoustic live rendition of "Martini Me Fatso," recorded during his Australian tour, giving physical format buyers an exclusive bonus beyond the six digital tracks.
This release may resonate with longtime National fans who follow Berninger's solo output, while the cover selections could introduce his work to audiences familiar with New Order or Velvet Underground. The lyric-change anecdote highlights how social media feedback now directly shapes artists' creative decisions, potentially encouraging more interactive relationships between musicians and listeners. The EP's mix of originals, covers, and live material may also reflect a broader industry trend toward frequent, smaller releases rather than traditional album cycles.