If you missed previous posts in this series, here are albums I added to my music library in:
As December begins, it’s time for the roundup of all the albums I added to my music library last month. November’s discoveries span genres and continents, from soulful melodies of London to the electrifying guitar work of the Sahara desert, and from the joy-filled jams of America to the haunting sounds of the otherworld. Whether it’s remastered funk-soul classics, Afrobeat grooves, or jazz-infused collaborations, these albums have kept me company through dark evening commutes and quiet moments of focus. And, of course, there’s the standout: my favorite album of the month.
My Favorite Album of November
Sun Without the Heat
by Leyla McCalla
I snagged this album because Leyla McCalla did a stint with the legendary Carolina Chocolate Drops, an old-time string band of Black musicians featuring the incomparable Rhiannon Giddens (see below). This was my first encounter with McCalla’s solo work, and I’m officially smitten.
Three things jumped out on my first listen: the African-inspired rhythm guitar, with its short, groove-filled notes; the uncanny way the bending guitar notes on the second track mirrored McCalla’s voice, creating a hauntingly beautiful interplay; and, most memorably, the jaw-dropping guitar and drums jam on the last two minutes of the fifth track. That jam made me do a literal double take at my car stereo—was this still the same artist?
As soon as the fifth song ended, I hit replay on Track 1. Knowing McCalla could conjure that kind of sound transformed the way I heard every note leading up to it. The album became something I had to experience all over again, this time with new ears.
If I have one gripe, it’s with her lyrics. They rely heavily on repetition, leaving little room for interpretation or narrative complexity. But honestly, that’s a minor quibble in the face of such captivating music. The melodies and rhythms are so compelling that the words take a back seat—and I’m okay with that.
Now that I know what she’s capable of, I can’t wait to dive into her catalog. If this album is any indication, I’ve got a lot to look forward to.
Classical-Adjacent Music
Beethoven Blues
by Jon Batiste
Batiste opens this collection with "Für Elise"—and if you're not hooked in the first eight seconds, this album might not be for you. With this release, Batiste reaffirms his place as one of the most exciting artists in contemporary music.
Bach: The Complete Lute Music on Guitar
by John Williams
This protégé of Andrés Segovia, the legendary classical guitarist, goes HAM on Bach’s lute music. Is it snowing outside? Do you have a book, a cozy blanket, and a dog on your lap? If so, queue this up and thank me later.
Gwyw,by Gwenno Morgan
Apple Music’s algorithmic playlists cater to tastes, moods, and activities, and while listening to the one called Focus, a track from this album ironically broke my concentration. Intrigued, I clicked over and played the whole album. The young artist’s classical-tinged piano and keyboards painted a vivid landscape of the Welsh countryside, setting the perfect tone to actually focus. Fantastic music for deep concentration.
American Railroad
by Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens
Rhiannon Giddens might just be my favorite female vocalist. I first fell for her voice watching Sam Jones’s excellent documentary Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued. On American Railroad, she collaborates with some of Asia’s finest musicians, blending Silk Road sensibilities with American traditional music. This album has been my haunting companion on dark evening commutes over the Green Mountains.
Rock-Adjacent Music
Million Voices Whisper
by Warren Haynes
Warren Haynes has been one of my top-ten favorite guitarists for over 30 years, and I’ll add every album he releases to my library without hesitation. While his smooth whiskey voice and magical guitar now stir more sweet nostalgia than fervent devotion, this album still delivers. John Medeski lays down some scorching keys, Derek Trucks drops by for three standout tracks, and Kevin Scott’s bass is downright impressive. As always, I’m glad to add Mr. Haynes' latest to my collection.
Ohio Players (Trophy Edition), By The Black Keys
The Black Keys are a band I’ve yet to fully fall for, but their dedication to keeping rock and roll alive makes me want to support them. This album is solid, with the standout moments being the tracks featuring Beck as a co-star—though, to be fair, those songs feel more like Beck than the Black Keys. A noticeable number of tracks also have a déjà vu quality, sounding suspiciously like other songs you’ve heard before (is that LL Cool J’s "Mama Said Knock You Out" driving track 15, with Alice Cooper guesting?).
Live at the Greek Theatre,
by Goose
Recorded in September 2024, Live at the Greek Theatre showcases the incredible talent of Goose—the band Dead and Phish fans love to poke fun at, mostly because Goose is just that good. While I hold a deep love for the Grateful Dead and Phish, my self-identity isn’t so wrapped up in them that I can’t appreciate the pure, joy-filled jams Goose delivers. As I shimmy at my desk listening to their soaring guitars and keyboards, I can’t help but picture 18-year-old Kyle dancing up a storm on the grass at Great Woods.
Hailbound Queen,
by Widespread Panic
Faithful readers might recall Widespread Panic making an appearance back in August with their six-song EP of new material—their first in nine years. Hailbound Queen brings another six tracks, blending fan favorites, new songs, and a Warren Zevon cover. True to form, the band still sounds unmistakably like themselves.
Funk & Jazz-Adjacent Music
Get The Message, by Kokoroko
I first listened to this eight-piece UK jazz/Afrobeat band back in March, comparing them to Fela Kuti with a London twist. Back then, I was just starting my journey into UK Afrobeat, but eight months later, I can confidently say these folks are near the top of the game. This four-song, fifteen-minute EP is a smaller, less funky offering than the album I heard in March, but it’s still so, so good—a perfect taste of what they’re capable of.
Alpha,
by The Round Robin Monopoly
Originally released in 1974 and remastered in 2024, this "funk-soul extravaganza" will have you digging out your bell bottoms, lacing up your dancing shoes, and shaking it like there’s no tomorrow. Packed with conga drums, sharp guitars, saxophones, trumpets, and trombones—all led by keyboardist “Round” Robin Lloyd—this is the band’s one and only album. Sadly, Stax, their legendary label, closed less than a year after its release. Thankfully, the Jazz Dispensary rescued the tapes and gave this lost classic the remastering it deserved.
Tension,
by Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra
What happens when you put an Ethiopian jazz legend in a room with a 12-member orchestra from Tel Aviv dedicated to exploring the African roots of Western popular music? You get yet another phenomenal album with Mulatu Astatke’s name on it. This man has never steered music wrong, and when the orchestra hands him the wheel—holy shit! You need to add this one to your library today!
People of the Fast Flowing River,
by Work Money Death
Another four-song release from a band I first discovered earlier this year, People of the Fast Flowing River has cemented Work Money Death as one of my favorite bands working today. This album came out the day after Thanksgiving, and I let out an audible "Woo hoo!" when I saw it appear in Apple Music's "New Music" feed, startling my brother-in-law. I'm pleased to tell you the album lives up to my exclaim.
Uncategorizable Music
Lives Outgrown,
by Beth Gibbons
Listed as an "alternative" album, the latest solo effort from the haunting vocalist from Portishead, is...well...haunting. Voices meld with cellos, violins, oboes, bass, acoustic guitar, and percussion, swirling around the room like the image on her album cover, blurring the lines between internal and external ghosts. Gibbons is responsible for one of the more beautiful musical performances of my lifetime, and it's so wonderful to see her powers still in top form over 25 years later.
Funeral for Justice,
by Mdou Moctar
Funeral for Justice landed on several “Best Albums of 2024” lists, and its backstory pulled me in. Mdou Moctar, a Tuareg guitar god, delivers his most political work yet—a fierce, electrifying album sung in his native Tamasheq. You might not understand the words, but you’ll feel the warfare in every note as he rages against the colonists occupying his ancestral lands. This one is a must-listen. While it could fit under Rock-Adjacent, the deep African influences make it truly Uncategorizable. Highly, highly recommended.
Small Changes,
by Michael Kiwanuka
Let’s keep it simple: this is a soul album, through and through. Michael Kiwanuka has one of the most soulful voices out there, and you can feel how deeply he digs to craft songs as meaningful to him as his voice is to us. Small Changes might not be as musically captivating as his previous effort, Kiwanuka, but it’s still a beautiful collection of music.
Rap Music
GNX,
by Kendrick Lamar
I’m not about to attempt to review Kendrick Lamar’s newest album. As he raps on “man at the garden”:
How annoying, does it anger me to know the lames can speak
on the origins of the game I breathe? That’s insane to me.
I’m not 100% sure who I am, but I don’t think KDot would hesitate to put me in the “lames” category if I tried to review GNX. I’m a middle-aged, former suburban white boy living in rural Vermont; I gotta imagine I’m not the person he has in mind when he pens his verbal blows.
What I will say is that Kendrick Lamar owned the rap game this year and this album just puts an angry bow on it. My ears can’t look away.
First Runner Up for November
Les cigales
by The Offline
By mid-November, Les cigales by The Offline had all but secured its spot as my favorite album of the month. It evokes the feel of Khruangbin—low-key, sometimes mid-tempo instrumentals played with both looseness and precision—but with more instruments, a touch of electronic influence, and the unique flavor of Germany’s musical ecosystem compared to Khruangbin’s Texas. The vibe? Mediterranean film music from the late 1960s, infused with modern rhythms.
I played this album on repeat for two solid weeks, convinced nothing could dethrone it. Then Leyla McCalla’s guitar and drum jam came along and made me reconsider. Still, don’t sleep on Les cigales—it’s absolutely fantastic.
November’s music was rich, with albums that span styles, decades, and borders. From Mulatu Astatke’s brilliance to Kendrick Lamar’s scary lyrical mastery, every addition to the library brought something unique. And while Leyla McCalla’s Sun Without the Heat claimed the top spot, several others were close behind. If you’re looking for something fresh to listen to, I hope these short reviews inspired you to explore. Until next month, happy listening!