Matt Berninger drops surprise EP Type It Up with covers and new tracks
The National’s Matt Berninger has released Type It Up, a five-track EP with covers of New Order and Velvet Underground, plus new original songs. The vinyl edition arrives December 4.
Photo: Music is Entropy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and printed in one ink.
Matt Berninger, the charismatic frontman of indie-rock stalwarts The National, has quietly released a new solo EP titled Type It Up. The five-track collection is now available digitally, with a vinyl edition set to follow on December 4. It marks Berninger’s third solo project, following 2023’s Get Sunk and 2020’s Serpentine Prison, and serves as a playful yet polished capstone to his recent creative streak.
A Mix of Originals and Covers
Type It Up blends three new Berninger originals with two well-chosen covers. The EP opens with "Martini Me Fatso," a track previously released over the summer, followed by the title track and "Ask for Water," which has already gained attention for its accompanying video. The covers—a brooding take on New Order’s 1983 synth-pop classic "Blue Monday" and a warm, Rosanne Cash-featuring rendition of The Velvet Underground’s "Who Loves the Sun"—were both released earlier this year as standalone singles. The vinyl edition adds an acoustic live version of "Martini Me Fatso," recorded in Australia.
Tracklist:
- Martini Me Fatso
- Type It Up
- Ask for Water
- Blue Monday (New Order cover)
- Who Loves the Sun (Velvet Underground cover, feat. Rosanne Cash)
- Martini Me Fatso (Acoustic Live in Australia) [vinyl only]
A Tour-Inspired Creative Process
Berninger has described Type It Up as a product of the "momentum and energy" from his Get Sunk tour, where he experimented with lyrics and song structures nightly. Audience feedback—including a humorous mishearing of a lyric in "Type It Up" (originally titled "Black Letter Font")—directly influenced the final versions. Fans who thought Berninger sang "I would look good in a black leather thong" instead of "That would look good in a black letter font" may be surprised to learn he swapped the chorus, leaning into the joke. As he put it, "I’m more of a black linen suit guy."
The video for "Ask for Water," directed by frequent collaborator Chris Sgroi, complements the song’s wry, introspective tone. The track itself includes a nod to childhood nostalgia, with Berninger singing about eating stickers off apples.
Where to Listen and Buy
Type It Up is available now on all major streaming platforms via Book/Concord Records. The vinyl edition, which includes the bonus live track, can be pre-ordered for its December 4 release. Fans who prefer physical copies will find the EP’s artwork—a minimalist design reflecting its title—equally understated and striking.
For those who’ve followed Berninger’s solo work, Type It Up offers a concise but satisfying listen, balancing the singer’s signature baritone with a looser, more experimental edge. It’s a reminder of his ability to recontextualize both his own songs and beloved classics, all while keeping the mood intimate and engaging.
Questions fans are asking
- When was Matt Berninger’s Type It Up EP released?
- The *Type It Up* EP was released digitally on September 10, 2026. The vinyl edition is scheduled for December 4, 2026.
- What songs are on Matt Berninger’s new EP?
- The EP includes three original tracks—"Martini Me Fatso," "Type It Up," and "Ask for Water"—plus covers of New Order’s "Blue Monday" and The Velvet Underground’s "Who Loves the Sun," featuring Rosanne Cash.
- Is there a vinyl version of Type It Up?
- Yes, a vinyl edition of *Type It Up* will be released on December 4, 2026. It includes an additional acoustic live version of "Martini Me Fatso" recorded in Australia.
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