“November” by Cloudbelly – A Song Feature

 

     Cloudbelly skillfully weaves its creativity into classic Indie Folk elements, resulting in "November," a song that boasts an infectious and enchanting bounce. For example, the intro features cyclic acoustic guitar and subtle percussion that combine to define a rhythm that is characteristic of much of “November.” The intro also includes an electric guitar, but it isn’t played in a conventional manner. Rather, a bow is employed to craft the atmospheric melody that accompanies the rhythm. Later, the bow takes a hiatus, and the electric guitar is played in a standard manner. However, the bow is reintroduced as the song advances.
 
     In "November," the vocal charm extends beyond the lead vocals, although they possess the allure to stand alone. Indie Obsessive has consistently appreciated the use of selective backing vocals, where layering is often employed for just a few words. The backing vocals make their first notable appearance around the 47-second mark, harmonizing with the lead vocals on "Teach me mercy, cold November," after which the song’s intensity takes an upward jump.
 
      In talking about the song, Cloudbelly explained:
   "’November’ is a yearning, exuberant indie-folk ode to precarious love and the emptiness it leaves behind. Melancholic strings and bowed guitar dance above a rollicking train rhythm, giving the track a wistful momentum like a celebratory funeral march.”
 
     The Bandcamp site for “November” lists the song’s credits. The first four individuals on the list comprise Cloudbelly, which is based in Montague, Massachusetts:
-Corey Laitman: songwriting, vocals, acoustic guitar
-Sam Perry: songwriting, electric guitar, backing vocals
-Reed Sutherland: songwriting, engineering, piano, wurlitzer, OP-1, organ, electric bass
-Nate Mondschein: production, engineering, songwriting, string
arrangement, drums, percussion, loops, beatmaking, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, synthesizer, mellotron
 
-Cynthia Tolson: strings
-Andrew Oedel: engineering, mixing
-Anni Casella: mastering
 
     Cloudbelly is scheduled to release its sophomore record in February 2024. The title will be “i know i know i know.” The band explains, “The album’s title (drawn from the chorus of the second single “Handfuls”) points to that knife’s edge divide, between the understanding of the way things are, and the seeming impossibility of embracing it. i know i know i know––acceptance and hesitation packaged in a single turn of phrase. It’s about confronting the fact that when it comes to healing and recovery, we are both the poison and the medicine. It’s about being present with the parts of ourselves that are in pain.” 
 
     “November” by Cloudbelly

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cloudbelly
Website: https://www.cloudbellytheband.com/
Bandcamp: https://cloudbelly.bandcamp.com/
 
Lyrics of “November” by Cloudbelly
Old November, haven’t seen you in a year
Old friend, you carve the space between my ears
Into a cavern, clamoring with birds
Their feathers - softest sound I ever heard
 
Say my love’s marked “return to sender”
Teach me mercy, cold November
 
Hungry lungs, my love’s the space between the notes
I meant them, every word I ever spoke
Your longing launched a symphony of leaves
That fevered sunlight brought me to my knees –
To remember, I surrender
Bless this hot mess, cold November
 
Love, you’re worried – I can read it in your brow
You’re ten feet under, but can’t remember how
Your shoulders drove the blade into the earth
But can you blame them, not knowing what you’re worth?
 
Hold your own hand. Feel how tender.
We can make it past November