5 Songs For A Week In November

Nomenclature: 5 Songs For A Week In November

Hey folks. Welcome back to another edition of Nomenclature. For this edition, we’re gonna be doing something a bit different. So if you came to read up on a heart wrenching indie track, I suggest checking one of my previous works. This week, we’re going to be checking out a few indie/alternative tracks perfectly suited for the vibes of this month. As we drift on by the midpoint of the month, here are 5 songs to enjoy throughout these days of the weird weather, early sunsets, and premature winter vibes of November.

1. “Blue Coupe” by Twin Peaks

Starting off strong, we have this track by Twin Peaks, released in 2018. “Blue Coupe” is what I would call the perfect melody for walking to your 11:20 class on a crisp November morning, with the sun shining through the last remaining leaves on the trees. The song opens with a bright guitar riff and light percussion as a piano riff comes in. The song builds in terms of its instrumentation, and, overall, has a beaming sound. You may just be walking to class, but you’ll feel as if you’re frolicking through a meadow with a mountain view. Furthermore, the lyrics come into play to add to the beaming ambience. The song opens with the line “Take everything you have in front of you / Make every movement, do it to the groove” and “You were never an example of someone who was givin’ up.” This hopeful message will echo throughout your head alongside the beautiful instrumentals to make for an immersive, immediate mood-lifting experience. I recommend keeping this in your back pocket to keep you going through finals season or when you’re simply in need of an auditory treat to brighten your day.

2. “Althea” by the Grateful Dead

Our next track here is certainly what many might consider a classic, and what I consider to contain one of the best guitar riffs of all time. “Althea”, originally released in the year 1980, has the rhythm and vibe that we all need to chill out in the end of midterm season and the beginning of finals season. The instrumentation of this song is incredibly calming and grounding. In addition to the rolling beat, lead singer Jerry Garcia’s fantastic guitar work and soothing vocals are what create such a fantastic listening experience. The lyricism of this track is also worth mentioning, as it is one of the best qualities of the song. The opening lyrics are “I told Althea I was feeling lost / Lacking in some direction” – these lyrics reflect the narrative in the song which presents Althea, a figure in Greek mythology, whose name translates to “healer of wounds,” as a wise beacon of hope. This song was originally written by Robert Hunter, a songwriter for the Grateful Dead who wrote this track for Jerry Garcia, who struggled with heroin addiction at the time. In addition to enjoying the groovy instrumentation, I hope you can reap some wisdom from this track as well. 

3. Love My Way by The Psychedelic Furs 

“Love My Way,” yet another track with unique instrumentation, was originally released in 1982. This groovy track opens up with synth and marimba that will immediately transport you to a dance floor. This is what I would describe as the perfect song to vibe to while studying or getting some work done. The layered vocals make for a calming vibe atop the intricacy of the instrumentals that increase throughout the song, making this a superb track to have playing in your headphones. The chorus, which is arguably the best part, contains the lyrics “Love my way, it’s a new road / I follow where my mind goes.” The unique voice of the lead singer, Richard Butler and the reverb of the song and the synth makes for a highly immersive listening experience. This is an upbeat track to get you through these gloomy November nights. It may even have you dancing like Timothee Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name.

4. You and I by Wilco featuring Feist

The next track on our list is an acoustic tune created by Chicago-based band, Wilco, off their self-titled album, released in 2009. “You and I” is the ultimate soundtrack to a meet-cute. The track begins with solely acoustic guitar strumming and the lyrics, “You and I, we might be strangers / However close we get sometimes / It’s like we never met”. Maybe this is a song you listen to while daydreaming about your campus crush or simply just to vibe to the beautiful melody and harmonies. The harmonies between lead singer of Wilco, Jeff Tweedy and featured artist, Feist, are arguably what makes this song so amazing. Feist’s soft soprano tones mix well with Tweedy’s raspy, alto voice to create crisp harmonies that pair well with the acoustic instrumentation and the overall vibe of the song. “You and I” will make you feel like you exist in the Hallmark rom-com universe surrounded by beautiful foliage and sunshine. 

5. “Strange Overtones” by Whitney

The final track on this list is perhaps the most unique one, in my opinion. Whitney is an indie-rock band with a distinct 70s sound. Lead singer, Julien Ehrlich, has a distinct voice, highly reminiscent of Barry Gibb, the lead singer of the Bee Gees. “Strange Overtones” showcases Ehrlich’s voice, a warm falsetto that will make you feel as if you’re sitting in a low lit room near a fireplace. In contrast, the instrumentation is vivid and diverse, as it incorporates synth, guitar, and a unique pattern that picks up and brightens as the song carries on. The chorus is the most remarkable part of the song, as the instrumentation is in full bloom. It kicks off each time with three beats as Ehrlich begins singing the lyrics, “Strange Overtones in the music you are playing / I’ll harmonize / It is strong and you are tough / But a heart is not enough.” This song sends a message of hope and light within the lyricism, and also conveys it through the electronic-gospel sound of this song, which is meant to be uplifting. I highly recommend this track if you’re seeking a distinct listening experience containing a hopeful message.