Belfast four piece November Dog introduce themselves with the debut single “How I’ve Been,” recorded and produced by bassist Shaun Carlin. Written over a year of focused rehearsals, the track presents the band’s lo fi slacker leaning sound through restrained guitars, soft Alesis keys, and a steady rhythmic base. The song opens quietly, allowing melody to take precedence, before expanding slightly in the chorus with controlled overdrive and a brief fuzzed out solo. The arrangement stays measured throughout, keeping space around the vocal and emphasizing tone over volume.
Formed around songwriters Scott Hanna and Danny Cockroft, with Carlin and drummer Michael McCorry completing the lineup, November Dog shape their material collaboratively once songs reach the full band. “How I’ve Been” was recorded between Blackstaff Recording Studio and Carlin’s home setup, capturing a direct and unembellished sound. Lyrically, the track addresses feeling overlooked by people close to you, framed plainly and without excess. As a first release, “How I’ve Been” outlines the band’s musical foundation clearly, placing melody, texture, and understatement at the center of their approach.
