Boxer, the newest release from The National, is one of those albums where the melodies linger in your brain long after the music has stopped playing. Maybe it’s the lead singer’s, soothing baritone, maybe it’s the dreamy, atmospheric sound the band has. “Green Gloves” is a perfect example of both.

Whatever it is, this album is a winner. And I do want to emphasize the word “album.” Each song fits so well together with the others. In this digital age where sales of individuals songs out sell compact discs, it’s refreshing to hear a true album of cohesive songs. Even the more upbeat tracks like “Guest Room” have that ethereal feeling.

“Fake Empire,” the first song on Boxer is probably the best representation of the the whole disc. It’s starts off with a quiet, contemplative piano along with the singer’s melody, and builds to finish with the the whole band, including some orchestral horns for counterpoint.

My favorite song on the album, “Ada,” gives the impression of a regretful love song. I can only say “gives the impression of” because of the cryptic quality of lyrics. A quality which describes almost all of the songs on Boxer. This is not a bad thing. That mysterious aspect of the lyrics compliment the dream-like quality of the music and make the album all that more appealing.

Ada, don’t talk about reasons why you don’t want to talk,
About reasons why you don’t want to talk.
Now that you’ve got everybody you consider sharp,
All alone, all together, all together in the dark.
Leave it all up in the air.

Ada, put the sounds of your house in a song.
Try to be speechless for a minute.
If you think you’re gonna faint go out in the hallway.
Let them all have your neck.
Ada, don’t stay in the lake too long,
It lives alone and it barely knows you.
It’ll have a nervous breakdown and fall,
Into a thousand pieces around you.

Stand inside an empty tuxedo with grapes in my mouth,
Waiting for Ada.
Ada, hold onto yourself by the sleeves.
I think everything counts a little more than we think.
Leave it all up in the air.

Ada, I can hear the sound of your laugh through the wall.
Ada, I’ve been hoping you know your way around.

Other reviewers I’ve read have used the words luxurious, riveting, captivating, moody, and even quiet chaos to described Boxer. I can’t improve on that, but I can say that The National has done an outstanding job creating a work that illustrates how good a true album can be.