The Scout staff has created a list of its favorite songs to listen to as we welcome the month of November, along with explanations and descriptions.
Rome Tews:
“Feel This Way” by Zebrahead
A groovy not-hit from Zebrahead’s debut 1998 album “Waste of Mind,” the sixth track “Feel This Way” ticks off all aspects of late ‘90s California white-boy R&B. Call and response? Check. Simultaneous spoken and lyrical parts? Check. The instrumentals have a great feel that makes you think maybe you’re the man.
“Climbing Up the Walls” by Radiohead
Apparently on my “-head” grind this month, because next up is, very arguably, Radiohead’s best song, “Climbing Up the Walls,” off their, less arguably, best album “OK Computer.” The creeping instrumental with mere wisps of vocals throughout feels cold but strangely inviting. Imagine a spirit emanating light in the middle of a frozen woods; peculiar, sure, but not completely outside of expectations.
Scarlett Rose Binder:
“Cold” by Leslie Odom, Jr.
When the temperature drops each year, I am reminded of this masterpiece. Not that I could ever truly forget it, that is. I love Leslie Odom, Jr.; the man’s voice is angelic, and “Cold” is some of his best work. I will be listening to it on repeat all winter.
“Tough Luck” by Laufey
I knew when I first saw the stunning cover art for Laufey’s “A Matter of Time” album that it would be a masterpiece, and upon listening, I was not disappointed. She masterfully blends jazz with classic and contemporary styles to make a whimsical sound that is uniquely her own. One of the more upbeat tracks on the album, “Tough Luck” is my current favorite. Its gradual crescendo makes for an exhilarating experience.
Injy Wasfy:
“Ghosts” by Scarlet House
The lyrics are not the star of this track. In fact, I didn’t even know most of the words until I searched them up, because what really pulled me in was the heavy start. Immediately, my shuffle playlist caught this piece like a nugget of gold in a puddle of sifted mud. With every pause, the electric guitar takes over and really nails home the feeling of a late fall chill while somehow capturing the essence beneath it all: the ghosts of the year we’re preparing to bid goodbye.
“LEASE” by Takeshi Abo
Whenever I can’t study or the lack of light makes me feel like I’m living in that one place where the sun doesn’t come up for half the year, this upbeat track sneaks into my playlist. Some describe it as “frutiger aero” – an early 2000s futuristic genre – but to me, the soft maracas and the slow guitar give it the end-of-the-day peace while the electronic elements add a whimsy that inspires the “futuristic” influence others point to. Overall, it’s a perfect mix of what the average day-to-day is: technology coexisting with the human essence that guides everything.
Paul Swartz:
“20 Min” by Lil Uzi Vert
After finally listening to the dud that was “Eternal Atake 2,” I returned to Lil Uzi Vert’s older music, trying to figure out where the magic went. “20 Min” is absolutely magical. If you wanted one song to explain why they’re so well-regarded and influential, this is it. The synth-driven, bouncing beat is as infectious as it gets, and Uzi’s flows and melodies are as catchy as they’ve ever been. All of it combines to make one of the most replayable hip-hop tracks of the last ten years.
“Untitled (How Does It Feel)” by D’Angelo
There was maybe no artist that embodied the idea of quality over quantity like D’Angelo. Across three albums over almost 30 years, you’d be hard-pressed to find a song that isn’t great in his discography. “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” is an epic, seven minute encapsulation of everything that made him one of the most compelling musicians of all time. The understated instrumental punches through with smooth guitar licks over a simple drum progression and piano stabs. His unparalleled vocals are on full display, with catchy melodies accented by absolutely transcendent harmonies, all leading to the track’s final two minutes where everything comes together at the climax of not just the song, but the album. We lost D’Angelo far too soon, but songs like “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” will live on for decades to come.
Jordan Jones:
“Rodrick Rules” by Malcolm Todd
Malcolm Todd always brings a mix of humor and heartbreak, especially in “Rodrick Rules.” It’s playful, messy and weirdly relatable. It’s the kind of song that reminds you not to take life too seriously and to just have fun. With its upbeat instrumental and witty lyrics, this song is perfect when you’re trying to laugh off your own mess.
“Not Strong Enough” by boygenius
“Not Strong Enough” captures that crisp fall feeling. boygenius blends vulnerability and frustration so perfectly into the song, making it hit like a quiet realization. It’s reflective, raw and definitely one of my favorite autumn songs.
Mark Wagner:
“Cut Em In” by Anderson .Paak ft. Rick Ross
“Cut Em In” has been on my playlist for almost five years. Combine the smooth vocals of Anderson .Paak and a great Rick Ross feature, and you’ve got an underground hit just waiting for your ears. The way the percussion cuts in (no pun intended) and out is perfect, and once you hear the first verse, you can tell this duo is going to go off.
“Blood // Water” by grandson
While I rarely ever listen to modern hard rock, grandson’s “Blood // Water” combines a sick instrumental, a massive beat drop and a serious vibe from the lyrics. As an avid NHL 19 player back in the day, whenever this song came on, you couldn’t stop me from rocking out and singing along.
Davis Kinch:
“Money Trees” by Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay Rock
I’ve heard the song live twice now. This song has long been one of my favorites from Kendrick Lamar and still remains one to this day. I will be listening to this quite a bit as I study for finals.
“Coming Down” by The Weeknd
This song is one from The Weeknd that I find quite soothing, even though the lyrics are anything but. Just the overall flow and instrumental of the song makes me feel relaxed and calm.
Celine Lamirand:
“Chichinya” by Ashnikko
Ashnikko is one of my favorite current artists. She blends styles like alt-pop, hip-hop and hyperpop into iconic masterpieces of pure hot girl energy. This is clearly shown in her latest album “Smoochies,” and “Chichinya” brings that perfect blend of weird and untouchable. “Chichinya” is the type of song that has you dancing in the mirror at 3 a.m. when you most definitely should be sleeping.
“ZOMBIFIED” by Falling in Reverse
Falling in Reverse will forever be iconic. You really can’t go wrong with their heavy guitar lines and deep, edgy lyrics. “ZOMBIFIED” has been on repeat for me the last few weeks, serving as an outlet for my frustration. Surprisingly, listening to angry guitar riffs and screaming lyrics makes me feel calm and collected. “ZOMBIFIED” is the perfect song to vent your frustrations to.
Nikko Wotherspoon:
“I Left My Home” by Johnathan Michael Fleming
Never in my life have I been so envious of the US Army. “I Left My Home” recently became popular on TikTok, and I absolutely love it. The song is military cadence, and yet I feel like I’m in a club. The raw, rhythmic call and response has been transformed into something unexpectedly infectious. The stripped-down production and layered vocals create this groove that’s hypnotic and makes you want to dance. The balance between military discipline with modern catchiness explains why it is in my head 24/7. The genius lies in its simplicity – just voices, rhythm and raw emotion – yet, somehow, that’s more than enough to make this track utterly compelling.
“Love, Maybe” by MeloMance
If I lived in a K-drama, this song would be my song. “Love, Maybe” plays randomly in the background, from an unknown source, as I step onto the leaf-strewn path, and suddenly everything slows. The other students around me become a sudden blur, a gust of wind lifts my hair in a perfect arc, and the autumn leaves spiral down in choreographed tumbles, catching the golden light. For five minutes, I’m not just walking to class; I’m gliding through the scene where I meet my love interest as they bump into me. Except that the song ends, I snap back to reality, and I’m actually running late for class. But this song can make listeners feel like the main character and forget what they are doing at that moment.
Jessica Taylor:
“Pushing It Down and Praying” by Lizzy McAlpine
Lizzy McAlpine has a wonderful way of creating an entire world within each of her songs. She’s a storyteller; with lyrics as her words and instruments as her paper. “Pushing It Down and Praying” creates a character stuck between the safe and the exciting, between someone stable and someone deep. The soft musical elements form an intimate space as she desperately tries to push down her desire, because the deep simply isn’t possible for her. The music is a space for her to mourn what she knows she could never be, and she does a wonderful job letting the listener come along for the ride.
“Bloodline” by Alex Warren & Jelly Roll
“Bloodline” is a little more upbeat. It talks about becoming more than you were born to be, not following in your bloodline. It could be about being better than your family, but it can also be about anything in your history that keeps you trapped. I love a good bridge, and “Bloodline” has a fantastic one. It’s a reminder that you are your own person, with your own choices, and the people you surround yourself with. Your story isn’t over, and you get to write the rest of it.
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