The band was formed in 2001 by singer and guitarist Ace Enders, drummer Jeff Kummer, and bassist Sergio Anello in Hammonton, New Jersey.

A few weeks later, Drive-Thru signed The Early November and placed them on 2002's Skate and Surf Fest and the Vans Warped Tour.

Throughout 2003, the band continued to tour and write songs in preparation for their first full-length album The Room's Too Cold, which was released in fall of that year.

During the recording process of their triple album, The Mother, The Mechanic, The Path, guitar tech Bill Lugg joined the band as a third guitarist.

[5] On March 13, 2007, The Early November announced that they would be taking an "indefinite hiatus" following their headlining tour.

On June 22, 2011, Ace Enders and Jeff Kummer both announced that The Early November would be performing a reunion show at The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA on September 10.

Two days later, it was announced that they had signed with Rise Records and would be releasing their third full-length album, In Currents on July 10, 2012.

[13] In March 2024, the band announced that their seventh studio album The Early November would be released on June 14th, 2024 via Pure Noise Records along with a new single "What We Earn" and a full US Tour with support from Spitalfield, Hellogoodbye, Hit The Lights, and Cliffdiver.

"[16] Singer, Ace Enders states "the song is about overcoming childhood trauma and demons while at the same time learning about and trying to face your new ones."

On June 14th, The Early November was released along with a music video for its feature track "We Hang On."