When The Early November broke up after just two albums in 2007, you might not have realized they were about to become one of emo’s lifer bands, but that’s exactly what happened. After a four-year hiatus, they returned with their third album In Currents in 2012, and their second act has grown into something even more fruitful than their first. Today, they release their sixth proper album, which is self-titled and comes 22 years after their debut EP, and they still never falter or sound outdated. They’ve scaled their core lineup down to the duo of vocalist/guitarist Ace Enders and Jeff Kummer, but you probably wouldn’t guess it from listening; they sound big on this LP, which they also self-produced at Ace’s studio in Ocean City, NJ. Ace said via press release that part of the inspiration to make this album came from feeling left out of the emo nostalgia festival circuit that’s become so prevalent, and this record really reinforces that The Early November don’t need to rely on nostalgia anyway. After ditching emo entirely on their sophomore album The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path and then breaking up right as the genre was reaching its height of popularity and cringe, The Early November’s second act has found them reconnecting with the version of emo they loved in the first place (there are a lot of Clarity vibes on this new album) and continuing to make it their own. This new album has beauty, atmosphere, good hooks, and undeniable energy, and it does not sound like a band resting on the laurels of something they made 20 years ago.
For a deeper dive into the LP, Ace has given us a track-by-track breakdown. Read on for what he had to say.
The Early November will also soon be on a headlining tour with support varying by date from fellow emo-pop vets Spitalfield, Hellogoodbye, and Hit the Lights. That includes NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge on June 22 with Spitalfield and NJ’s Asbury Lanes on July 18 with Hit the Lights. All dates at the bottom of this post.
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Track-by-Track Breakdown of The Early November’s S/T LP
by Ace Enders
01. THE EMPRESS
The conception of this song was built out of an area of judgement. We all want the same thing, but we fight each other. We live in a culture that’s very judgmental and critical, expecting exceptional perfection out of everyone. Yet by pointing the finger we’re contradicting everything that we say we want, when in reality we all just want to do the best we can and have a good life.
The rhythm in the beginning of this song gave me the feeling of something that’s never-ending, which is why it needed to be pursued. The same thing over and over, not ever evolving.
02. THE MAGICIAN
The idea came from this infinite loop. Wanting to keep going in a situation, while not realizing that we are the snake eating its own tail. This creature killing itself to maintain the shape. The end of the song came from the idea of not wanting to let go. Hanging on to something that maybe should not be hung on to. How do you come to terms with that or face that reality? That’s why the song ends abruptly. I wanted that track to not end because of me, but an outside force.. AKA “time” being the deciding factor of when it ends.
03. ABOUT ME
It was inspired by the feeling of being taken off guard. Seeing romance through someone else’s eyes while tying it back to experiences of our own. Feeling those emotions, re-thinking decisions, and how we’re often guilty of making the same choices.
My son actually played bass on this track. There’s also a loop tucked into the song that plays throughout its entirety. It’s not necessarily something we do in our songs, but it’s pretty cool. You may notice it in the beginning or end, but if you pay attention it never stops. Just that same repetitive thing.
04. WHAT WE EARN
It’s a song built out of frustration. The one line that sums it up best is “we’re valued by what we bring in.” The bitter truth of many situations is that our success is determined by the numbers. We often don’t take into account the other things. If you don’t look like the idea of what success is on paper, it’s not going to matter. Sometimes in life, all you have is the grip you’re willing to bear. It’s beautiful and romantic to say that our worth is judged by ourselves, but the reality can be very different than that. This song is a very special one for me in that respect. It is very visual and honest.
I remember being exhausted recording it, trying to find this sound. I felt like Marvin Berry in Back To The Future… “that sound you’re looking for? I found it!” I was just trying to find how TEN could be a vessel to harbor this type of anger because we never have. I remember trying so many different things. The highlight was me going through that process and then Jeff coming in and recording it in one take.
05. WE HANG ON
This song flirts with the torture of regret within the mind, which is why there are voices whispering throughout the beginning of it. Picking which one to listen to, be influenced by, not be influenced by, etc. The fantasy of “if I could only do it again.”
That perpetual never-ending gnawing. Eventually coming to a moment of realization within and gaining clarity by being honest with yourself.
This one came together very easily. Everything felt very natural. The one thing I love about it is that there are no big guitars. Picked out guitars in the chorus, but it’s just super natural. We could’ve made it drive more but at the end of the day the song was right where it needed to be.
06. THE FOOL
This one is about that determined side of us that knows exactly where we want to go. Chasing that goal blindly while being ridiculed and doubted. The Fool just keeps on pushing. Ultimately not realizing that they’re at that major precipice in life, because they’re wrapped up in being wrapped up.
07. TIRED OF LYING
This one is about that place that exists deep in our mind, watching someone benefit off of the thing that you worked really hard for. Living in that spot. Trying to talk that voice off the ledge or in this song, allowing it to be the voice that speaks. The end becoming a spiral. Chasing our tails over and over, placing blame on anything we can rather than looking at what it is for what it is. This and “What We Earn” really painted the theme and laid the groundwork for the whole record.
I remember thinking… how do we maintain interest while including these heavy moments within our style? The ups and downs that we’re traditionally known for. Because our style is up and down. I like to think it’s never stagnant.
08. THE DIRTIEST THINGS
It’s about trying to stay grateful, while feeling like things just keep falling through your fingers. Knowing that everything’s been taken out of you, but still trying to remain thankful for something.
There are so many different sounds in here that are unique to the song. I just wanted to allow for it to be off the wall. However, I lost them all right before the album went to mixing, so Sam Guaiana had to mix the original two track demo. The first minute and a half of that song is the original demo. When everything else comes in, we get the rest of the multi track. He meshed it together really well.
09. THE HIGH PRIESTESS
This song is about deception. Being deceived by yourself/the outside and believing it. I knew when recording this, I really wanted a repetitive ending almost like a trance. Where the lyric isn’t in your face, melds, and builds over this repetitive guitar movement to where you get lost in it because that’s what deception is. We get lost in it. I wanted this song to reflect that. You keep hearing this thing over and over and you can’t really tell what is what. That’s what it’s supposed to be.
10. IT WILL ALWAYS BE
It’s about being dedicated and present. It was written and recorded in one day. Everything is really raw on this one. I think you need one of those. So this song was our very raw, whatever happens, happens…
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The Early November is out now on Pure Noise.
The Early November — 2024/2025 Tour Dates
with Spitalfield:
6/22 – New York, NY @ LPR
6/23 – Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
6/25 – Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room
6/27 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Crafthouse
6/28 – Detroit, MI @ The Shelter
6/29 – Lakewood, OH @ The Roxy
6/30 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
wit Hellogoodbye:
7/2 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
7/3 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
7/5 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
7/6 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
7/7 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theatre
7/9 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take It
7/10 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
with Hit the Lights:
7/12 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham
7/13 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
7/14 – Nashville, TN @ Eastside Bowl
7/16 – Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
7/17 – Washington, DC @ Union Stag
7/18 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes
7/19 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair
2/4-2/8 – Emo’s Not Dead Cruise