In a year already jam-packed with great music, I think the new National record, "Boxer," might take the cake.

Linked here is the first track, "Fake Empire," a chilled-out, piano-driven number that dances around themes of excess, corruption, and obliviousness in contemporary America.

It will take a listen or two to grasp how powerful a statement the band is making. The lyrics are strong enough poetry that they stand on their own below.

Stay out super late tonight
picking apples, making pies
put a little something in our lemonade and take it with us
we’re half-awake in a fake empire
we’re half-awake in a fake empire

Tiptoe through our shiny city
with our diamond slippers on
do our gay ballet on ice
bluebirds on our shoulders
we’re half-awake in a fake empire
we’re half-awake in a fake empire

Turn the light out say goodnight
no thinking for a little while
lets not try to figure out everything at once
It’s hard to keep track of you falling through the sky
we’re half-awake in a fake empire
we’re half-awake in a fake empire

Added bonus: Stereogum linked today to the cool new video for the second single, "Mistaken for Strangers."