November Dog Release Genre Bending Single ‘Out of Ideas’

November Dog are an emerging talent rising out of the burgeoning Belfast music scene. Having spent a year locked in the practice room writing and developing the bands’ sound. In October 2025 the band released their debut ‘How I’ve Been‘ which caught the attention of taste makers Hot Press, TheBeat.ie, PureMZine, Rock n Load, Black Market Playlists,The Sounds Won’t Stop, RaggedCast and IMRO. The band followed this with their sophomore single ‘Cake’ released in June this year. Building on this momentum the band are ready to release new single ‘Out of Ideas’, the track finds the band blending acoustic guitars along side synth-wave influences and a thumping insistent back beat. As if Weezer formed a side project with MGMT or M83. Produced by Belfast’s own Daniel Keown, the band say they were instrumental in helping them fully embrace that side of their sound, pushing them into darker but lush sonic territory and blending it with their softer acoustic influences to create something uniquely November Dog.

The band formed around primary songwriters Scott Hanna (lead guitar, vocals) and Danny Cockroft (keys) who’s work is given a heart beat by Michael McCorry (drums). Despite the bulk of the writing being done by Scott and Danny, it’s not until they bring it to the band and every brings their own perspective to the track does it start to sound like November Dog. It’s this unique mix we hear on new single ‘Out of Ideas’.

The song opens with some acoustic guitar chords before being joined Danny’s synths that provide the rich sonic landscape for the track. The dark cinematic synths juxtaposed against the brighter percussive acoustic creates a wealth of depth and texture. Added to this is the band’s choice to have percussion added from Michael’s cajon in lieu of drums, this provides a consistent and propulsive back beat for the song, and instantly sets it apart from a regular kick, snare, hi-hat pattern. Synths dovetail on the track between dark, pulsing lines and more soaring melodies with accentuate Scott’s vocals. As we hit final third of the track a Phil Collins-esque drum fill signals the full kit joining, to drive the track home. Another production choice that helps illustrate November Dog’s no rules approach to their song writing. Lyrically ‘Out of Ideas’ is a direct continuation from previous single ‘Cake’ which dealt with facing down a no-win decision, ‘Out of Ideas’ is a song characterised by desperation, being committed to a situation that is only detrimental with no other choice.

When it came time to record the band turned to Belfast’s own Daniel Keown to produce the track. ‘Out of Ideas’ and ‘Cake’ we recorded in the same session. The band say that choosing to work with Daniel on production helped push the band further into their synth-rock side, elevating the tracks from their previous forms. And in doing so, adding another dimension to their sound and further expanding the sonic landscape for future releases.
The artwork is by long time collaborator @vinnythepooh which aims to capture the themes presented in the track of desperation and urgency.

Now three singles in, November Dog continue to push sonic boundaries for the band in an approach that leaves no stone unturned and sets no rules for the band. The production choices made on the track add a depth and character that wouldn’t be possible with more a traditional line up. With eyes on a forthcoming EP the band have a wide sonic play ground in which to pull from for the next works.