Post Malone, Lizzy McAlpine. Kacey Musgraves, Hozier, Gracie Abrams, Sam Fender, Brandi Carlile, and Gregory Alan Isakov. These eight artists are all the features on Noah Kahan’s newest extension of his recent album “Stick Season,” released on Feb. 8.
Kahan rose to popularity after the song “Stick Season” exploded his career on TikTok. Prior to this project, and before producing “Stick Season” Kahan produced “I Was / I Am” in 2021 and “Busyhead” in 2019. Afterwards his popularity bloomed online becasuse of a viral clip of the line, “I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks, and I saw your mom but she forgot that I existed,” signifying the transition from fall to winter, similar to the idea of having someone to losing them. The line sympathizes with listeners on the East coast, people who enjoy Zach Bryan, and those who have gotten their heart broken.
His song “Forever” was leaked on TikTok and fans freaked out. The overall vibe of the song is a perfect representation of who Kahan is as an artist: he is not quite country, but more folk, sort of like Zach Bryan. “Forever” is a kind of a memoir to his past albums. The verse in the chorus says, “I’ll build a boat for when the river gets high,” to show the growth from his song “Tidal” from the project “Busyhead.”
Kahan isn’t necessarily considered a country artist, but he falls into the sub-genre known as folk music. He is also quite a unique performer. His North American Tour has so far sold out or the tickets are on low supply, because of the silliness he brings with him and immense popularity. Kahan started out as a small artist, only opening for artists bigger than him, but now he’s the headliner, and has released numerous versions of his popular album “Stick Season”.
One song that really hits listeners hard is “Call Your Mom“. In the newest version of the album, Kahan has Lizzy McAlpine join him as a featured artist. The song is a reminder that no matter what hard times the person is going through, Kahan will do whatever it takes to keep them safe, even if it means calling their mom. The bridge is one of the more personal parts of the song, “Medicate, meditate, swear your soul to Jesus,” recommending ways to get out of the darkness. Kahan represents desperation, care, and love towards the person he is begging for to stay.
The song “You’re Gonna Go Far” is beloved by college kids or high school graduates leaving their hometown for school. He sings, “The college kids are getting so young, ain’t they? They’re correcting all the grammar on a spray paint And I even gave up driving after nightfall, I got tired of the frat boys with their brights on” is said in the second verse of the song. The chorus is the part that adolescents feel closest to. “So, pack up your car, put a hand on your heart, say whatever you feel, be wherever you are. We ain’t angry at you, love, you’re the greatest thing we’ve lost. The birds will still sing, your folks will still fight, the boards will still creak, the leaves will still die” reminiscing on everything that will stay the same, even if they leave what they called “home” their entire life. They need to move on and start the new chapter of their life, even if that means leaving behind everything that they once were familiar with.
The last song that fans enjoy is “Everywhere, Everything” with Gracie Abrams. This song is a sort of love song and ode to a girl. He’s saying that no matter where she is or what happens, he’ll always be there. “Everywhere, everything, I wanna love you ’til we’re food for the worms to eat, ’til our fingers decompose. Keep my hand in yours.” Everywhere, and through everything, he will love her and stay with her. Genius says that, “this song is about acceptance. It’s that everything, everywhere will end. But not in a sad way. It’s just the truth. It’s, we’re going to die and I love you. There’s no resistance.” Honestly that’s completely true, that no matter the distance or circumstance, he will love her.
“Stick Season (Forever)” deserves all the love because of its folk sound and emotion it holds. Kahan is able to relate to listeners in so many ways, whether it is hating the town they grew up in and wanting to run away, or trying to save a life.
Noah Kahan was an underground artist for so long, but now he is finally getting the recognition he deserves.