November by Lydian Collective
In the run up to the launch of their second studio album Return, Lydian Collective, the UK instrumental group whose music has been described as ‘genre-crashing’ and ‘life-affirming’, will release their fourth single November on April 15th on AWAL.
November - in its current incarnation - has been decades in the making. Originally written in 2005 by Aaron Wheeler (keys) and Todd Baker (guitar) in Aaron’s living room, the track had an experimental electronica sound. Creating the original riff with a DIY mandolin, acoustic guitar, percussive household items and vocal snippets, mixed with granular synth elements, November was quite far removed from the live jazz quartet piece it later became in 2014.
When the tune hit YouTube as a Lydian Collective piece, it celebrated immediate success. Over the years it has racked up almost 100,000 views and become a fan favourite, with many wondering why it didn’t make the cut on the band’s first album Adventure. “Some of the tracks just worked a little better conceptually for that record than November did,” says Aaron, “It has found a good home on Return, though. It wasn’t until 2021 that we actually managed to record November with a grand piano.”
The studio version of the tune still keeps the same emotional principles of the original 2005 concept: a brooding storm, calming into nostalgia and simplicity with a lilting, timeless melody on top. YouTube fans have said the relaxing serenity of the piece is their sunrise meditation soundtrack; a perfect accompaniment to their coffee and early morning walk.
November will be available on all streaming/download platforms on April 15th 2022. Pre-order / pre-save at lydiancollective.fanlink.to/november
The forthcoming album - Return - will be available in a very limited run of double vinyl, available to pre-order now at lydiancollective.fanlink.to/return
With 2 million views to date on their YouTube channel and more than 6m plays on Spotify, plus a host of solo credits between them (from Roots Manuva to Monument Valley), London’s Lydian Collective are an exciting musical voice who are making waves worldwide.
The sound is a unique combination of accessible melodies, accomplished musicianship, hypnotic rhythms and an uplifting vibe.