Matt Berninger Says The National Will Not Release New Album in 2016

Matt Berninger, lead singer of The National who is currently on tour with his other band, EL VY, collaborating with Brant Knopf of Menomena and Ramona Falls, sat down for a Facebook Q&A session confirming that his seminal band's forthcoming album will not be released in 2016.

He was speaking via video chat from his Copenhagen hotel for the public Q&A session fielding questions about both bands, his time on the road and simple insights into his life such as his preference towards beef or pork -- spoiler alert, it's chicken.

But, perhaps the most newsworthy comment came around the 3:15 mark.

"When's the new National record?" Berninger read from the streaming questions. "Not in 2016, that is my only answer. No 2-0-1-6. It would just take too long."

In an earlier interview, he described 15 of their new songs as "f---ing amazing," so there's a lot for fans to look forward to. He went on to confirm that the band will be playing new songs live at its 2016 dates, with only a spattering of appearances announced so far.

Watch the first part of the video below.

Copenhagen Q&A
Posted by EL VY on Monday, November 30, 2015

During the three-part video, he also said The National will never again perform the Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers track, "Cardinal Songs," saying "It's too depressing."

Berninger also confirmed that The National recorded a new "Bob's Burgers" song following the "Sailors In Your Mouth" Thanksgiving tune, but it was pulled following the terrorist attacks in Paris. The unreleased song is about how Europeans don't have Thanksgiving, Hopefully, it will be released for the holiday next year he speculated.

Other topics included his favorite lyricists, meeting Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry, whether President Obama plays The National or not and his technical difficulties as he struggles with his laptop.

Watch parts two and three of the Q&A below.