In public, Matt Berninger has been operating in solo mode for more than a year now, riding the wave of the rollout and accompanying live shows for his album Get Sunk. It looks as though he’s not ready to shift out of that gear just yet. The National’s frontman has unveiled a fresh solo single today, and its title leaves a lasting impression.
“Martini Me Fatso” stands apart from anything Berninger has released before. The closest kin might be EL VY, his quirky side project, though that comparison isn’t exact. The tune won’t feel entirely strange to National fans, but it possesses a swing and an arrangement that tilt toward jazz-rock or bluesy adult contemporary rather than his usual style. The lyrics and vocal delivery, however, are unmistakably Berninger. On the chorus, he asks, “Why would you promise her to me?” and the line sticks in the mind quite effectively.
This track is a lot of fun, albeit a touch bewildering. Watch the video below.
The song is out now on Concord.
