6 Songs to Start Off Your November

Thinking about November brings both a stress and calmness to people. It’s the month leading to December – also known as “Christmas Month” and therefore people want music to remind them of a calm and happier time compared to their now stressful time trying to get a jump on the holiday shopping. These six songs will get you through the month of November and all the emotions it brings with it.

 

1. The Staves – ‘Blood I Bled’

This song starts off very lighthearted and joyful with the finger-picking of the ukulele, but as the song proceeds, it grows to become darker and more powerful with the heavy use of the drums. I feel this reflects November in some way due to the start of the month being very calm and easy, then as the month starts to close and December creeps in, the stress starts to rise. The song ends in very joyful way again with the use of the ukulele and as the vocals over-take the power of the instruments, everything seems to calm down again. November is almost like the passing from Halloween into Christmas and therefore the joy to stress to joy again conveys the passing of this time.

 

2. Barry Louis Polisar – ‘All I Want Is You’

A much more upbeat choice than the first, this song is known for opening the film “Juno.” It fits perfectly with the soundtrack as well as within playlists due to its catchy, acapella opening. The lyrics are very upbeat and loving with the harmonica and guitar coming in after the first verse. It’s rather repetitive, but it can always lift your mood and bring a smile to your face. The simple lyrics and convergence of the harmonica and guitar makes this track a joyful choice for any long walks throughout November.

 

3. D.I.D (Dog Is Dead) – ‘Teenage Daughter’

A much rockier choice compared to the others. However, D.I.D, formerly known as Dog Is Dead, released this track as a single in 2012 and since then, it’s featured in every November playlist. There is something about how the instruments are used in order to build the song that pulls listeners towards the track altogether and then the band goes on to layer up these instruments and create the perfect song to scream to if you’re angry in the month of November! Although they are simple lyrics, they somehow bring out underlying emotions which pushes you to sing along.

 

4. Daughter – ‘Doing The Right Thing’

Although this track is very slow and almost calming, the use of heavy drums in the background at the beginning gives it a much more dramatic feeling and builds the song. The instruments used and the composition of them compliment the vocals excellently and make this song feel rather cold and spaced out, in the best way. The cold of November is reflected and mimicked in Elena Tonra’s (lead singer) vocals and lyrics. The London trio have created another atmospheric and hauntingly exceptional song which has been said to deal with “human mortality” in specific diseases like dementia, which are associated with the older generation. This is conveyed in the emotional music video they posted with the single when it was released.

 

5. Oh Wonder – ‘Drive’

This London duo has only recently became popular for their successful debut album “Oh Wonder“ and this track in particular stood out as both of their voices contrast perfectly as well the simplistic first verse which makes use of only piano chords and their harmonious voices before adding in a slight beat underneath in the second verse. It isn’t until the chorus that more instruments are introduced, the beat becomes more prominent and their vocals convey the range available between them. This track and duo have potential to be the newest hit within music over the coming year.

 

6. CHVRCHES – Never Ending Circles

Scottish electronic group CHVRCHES have grown massively within the UK over the past few years through the introduction of synths into modern music and their new album “Every Open Eye” has brought them more success. This single from the album shows frontwoman Lauren Mayberry’s unique vocal talents as well as the other member’s ability to create a sound that compliments her vocals even further. Mayberry’s accent comes through in her vocals and therefore brings something different to the table and charts. As well as this, the track is very upbeat and modern due to it being electronic music and therefore fits in perfectly with today’s charts.