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John Moreland’s “East October” Has a Strong Nostalgia Vibes

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Finally a new release! John Moreland’s upcoming album LP5 is surely filled with amazing songs. With “East October” giving us a little taste, this will surely be a fun ride.

John Moreland Asks Important Questions

I don’t know, man. I’m a sucker for amazing lyrics and ever since I discovered John Moreland, he has come to be one of my favorite lyricists of all time. (He’s like John Prine!)

John Moreland, John, Moreland, East October, October
via GQ

There’s always a different hit for me when it comes to his lyrics. Rare that I find people who sing from the heart and I resonate with the words so much. Rarer that I find brilliant people like him who is so much more.

His songs are an intoxicating mix of heartbreak and life lessons, and I think that’s kind of how country music is, in a way.

I think one of the reasons why I don’t like country music is how it surprisingly can make you vulnerable.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3476ljA5hi/?hl=en

There are walls that you build as your defenses to these kinds of things as time passes by. With the experience you gather every day, it’s easier to just build higher. But sometimes, with a song just like “East October,” it hits you in a weird way that would make you question everything.

Well, that made me question everything, anyway.

The first verse catches my attention in a weird way, to be honest. This whole month has been a whirlwind and it honestly feels like it’s going into a tailspin even though it probably isn’t. And Moreland just casually singing about looking back on all the experiences makes me reflect on the experiences I’ve had in this chapter of my life.

To be fair, Moreland’s right. Not only the gods are fickle but I am as well. The tides of my disorder are hard to manage and I think not everybody understands that. But I think I’m slowly understanding that people process things differently than I do.

I’ve grown a lot, I think. It might not be the kind of growth that I wanted, or what I was expecting. But I think it’s still something. I gained friends. I’ve had personal experiences that molded me and my understanding of what it is now.

I guess it is North Carolina in East October. Cold, but in the middle of change. Change is never easy, but it’s necessary.

So, how am I going to get by?

I’m not sure. But I’d like to assure myself that, for once, I’d be fine. And I know I’m not by myself anymore.

Maybe you’d get something out of listening to it too. Enjoy.

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