Our Favorite Songs in November

Best New Music from the Blue Ridge and Beyond

Every month our editors curate a playlist of new music, mainly focusing on independent artists from the South. In November we’re highlighting new tunes from Bon Iver and Indigo de Souza.

Bon Iver

After recent electronic experiments, Justin Vernon goes full circle with his sound and gets back to the sparse folk that first garnered his long-running indie outfit acclaim. The acoustic tune, from the recently released EP “SABLE,” finds Vernon ruminating on regret via his signature falsetto and gentle guitar strumming. It’s reminiscent of the songs on Bon Iver’s 2007 landmark album “For Emma, Forever Ago.” – J.F.

The Infamous Stringdusters

“Possum”

Considering the band’s instrumental wizardry, it wasn’t surprising that, early in their career, the ‘Dusters pivoted from a more traditional bluegrass sound to one grounded in improvisational exploration. The band offers an homage to Phish, another band with a knack for sonic spontaneity, on “Possum,” the first offering from their latest album, “Undercover, Vol. 3.” This latest collection also includes interpretations of tracks from the Grateful Dead, Avicci, and Harry Styles, among others, showcasing the ‘Dusters’ wide array of interests and influences. – D.S.

Indigo de Souza

“Wholesome”

Asheville’s Indigo de Souza cuts loose on her new three-song EP, “Wholesome Evil Fantasy.” The indie rocker embraces full electro pop bliss on the effort’s first track, a sunny, synth-heavy celebration of love that’s ready to fuel a dance party. – J.F.

Dawes

“Surprise!”

California folk rockers Dawes hit a fork in the road last year. With the departure of long-time members Wylie Gelber and Lee Pardini, the band was reduced to brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith. Undaunted, the brothers forged on, entering the studio to craft a collection of songs with just Taylor on guitar and vocals and Griffin on drums. “Surprise!” is yet another stripped-down dandy from the duo, with Taylor’s lyrics focusing on the only certainty in life being uncertainty, delivered with a mellow ease over Griffin’s deliberate rhythms and the guitar work of longtime touring musician Trevor Menear. – D.S.

Tim Heidecker

“Well’s Running Dry”

The multi-talented Tim Heidecker is best known as an alternative comedian and actor, but he’s also a deep music head who’s released a handful of earnest singer-songwriter records that showcase his reverence for Randy Newman and the Beatles. His latest album, “Slipping Away,” dropped last month via Bloodshot Records, and it features this playfully vulnerable folk-rock track about dealing with writer’s block and feeling creatively stifled with age. – J.F.

Willie Nelson

“Do You Realize?”

The Flaming Lips’ grand meditation on mortality gets melancholy introspective treatment from the country legend who’s now 91. It’s a poignant stunner that evokes the fragile yet graceful musical aging Johnny Cash provided with his take on Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.” It comes from Nelson’s 76th solo studio album, “Last Leaf on the Tree” – J.F.

Yola

“Future Enemies”

When making a new acquaintance, there is a pivotal moment when things could go either way. Does it feel comfortable? Future friend, of course. Something off kilter? Well, future enemy. R&B soul maven Yola’s first release in three years, the aptly titled “Future Enemy,” tackles this feeling, dissecting that razor thin moment when a relationship, based on intuition, dissolves before it ever spawns. With her titanic vocals soaring over electro-pop beats and synth highlights, Yola has delivered an absolute dance hall banger. – D.S.

Sister Hazel

“Live Again”

Platinum-selling alt-rockers Sister Hazel broke through in the late nineties with megahit “All For You,” and while mainstream attention might have waned over the ensuing years, the band has continued touring and recording. This month marks the release of their thirteenth studio album, “Sand, Sea & Crash Debris,” and the first single, “Live Again,” has all the hallmarks of a stadium anthem; big guitar chords and a yank-on-your-heartstring singalong chorus that will have long time fans—and probably some new ones, too—singing note for note. – D.S.