It made more sense for this song to be included in the album rather than being pulled out and said, "Here is the Taylor song."

Aaron Dessner offers some advice to fans of The National's new collaboration "The Alcott" with Taylor Swift.

The song is from the band's newest album "First Two Pages of Frankenstein," released Friday.

The National's founding member Dessner talked to Vulture, and it was not the first time Swift and The National collaborated. Dessner, who helped write the majority of "folklore," is also one of Swift's favourite collaborators.

Swift received The National's song as they were finishing up their album. Dessner says that the National had previously produced more upbeat rock music for their album. This was a departure for the group.

Dessner said, "This song was my version of Nick Cave or Leonard Cohen." "Then Matt composed this beautiful song, and I felt that this was the one I might share with Taylor."

Dessner, referring to his collaborator on "Evermore", said that they had not even discussed inviting her to appear in public. "It was partly because nobody else had been on the album at that time and also, I didn't want to pressure anyone unless they were really making sense." There was something in that song that I thought she would really respond to."

Swift also discussed how she added her own personal touch to the song and changed it from what they originally sent her.

Dessner noted that Dessner's contributions to the song had a direct impact on the final product.

"I think that it is natural for us to collaborate so regularly since Folklore. She is a fan of The National, and she had heard about what we were doing. Dessner said, "I'd send it her." "I didn't say out loud, 'I would love it if you could help me,' nor did she. It would depend on the song. Matt agreed that it would be best to send it to her to see if there were any ideas.

The 47-year old also noted that this duet was different from most of The National’s collaborations with musical guests, who are usually more subdued.

There's a clearness in her ideation, her lyricism, and her sense for melody. Swift's music "cuts like a blade," said he. "Compositionally it's very deliberate. It's almost like two lovers are talking over eachother in her countermelodies. It's a bolder approach than just singing along. It's her gift. She is a storyteller with a musical flair.

The musician commented on how difficult it was to make this song the focus of an album, and not have Swift's fame and fanbase overshadowed.

She is the largest artist on the album. It's crucial to let the album be its own self and to hear the song within context. Dessner said that they had to be very careful not to let the record leak. It's a fact of her life that people are always trying to get her in some way. Media love any information they can get about her. As a friend, I try to be sensitive about how and when we use the light.

It made more sense for this song to be included in the album rather than being pulled out and said, "Here is the Taylor song."

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Title: Taylor Swift's The National Collaboration Should Be Listened To In Context, Says Aaron Dessner
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/04/28/aaron-dessner-talks-new-collaboration-with-taylor-swift/
Published Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:21:10 +0000

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