BY: HANNA WEST, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Graphic made by Joseph DeBell
As fall approaches, it’s time to watch the leaves change and listen to famous New Englander, Noah Kahan. In July of 2022, Kahan released the title track from his “Stick Season” album. Since then, he has not looked back. In 2024, the Vermonter went on to sell out stadiums such as Fenway Park and collaborate with artists including Hozier and Brandi Carlile.
With all this fame, Noah has remained his personable, upbeat self. He is thankful for his fans; he thanks them after nearly every song he performs on tour. He has brought attention to what has been named “folk-ish” music. Kahan will go from joking to singing one of the most gut-wrenching lyrics ever written. He has released three beautifully written albums throughout his career. His most recent album is his most popular; however, his two earlier albums cannot be overlooked.
Here are five songs of his that everyone should listen to at least once in their life:
5.) “You’re Gonna Go Far”
Though only released on the deluxe version of “Stick Season”. This song wasn’t just written for anyone moving away from home, but also for those leaving it behind. It evokes the feeling that there is much to look forward to. It’s sung from the perspective of someone — perhaps a parent — giving their child to the world and watching them go. It perfectly compares both the sadness and hopefulness of leaving.
4.) “Call Your Mom”
Kahan is an advocate for mental health. He runs a mental health non-profit called The Busy Head Project, named after his first album which deals with internal struggle. “Call Your Mom” is about caring for a person, more than you care about the relationship you have with them. He repeats in the song “I’ll call your mom.” This means he will go to lengths that his partner — or friend — does not want him to go to to save them. He prefaces this song at his concerts by telling everyone to check on those they love. It is better for them to be safe than to be gone.
3.) “Glue Myself Shut”
From his “Cape Elizabeth” EP lies this hidden gem. Kahan does not perform this song at his shows, and it often goes overlooked. It does not have flashy vocals or quick tempo like some of his more popular tracks. Instead, this song has stunning lyrical storytelling. This song is about taking someone for granted, and realizing how well they know you when they leave.
He sings, “And if I glued myself shut / you would find your way in.”
2.) “All My Love”
Coated in New England, cold weather vibes, “All My Love” is just one of those fun songs to sing with the crowd at a concert. The lively nature of this song masks the sad lyrics in the best way possible. This song is about reminiscing and sending love to someone who left, while in this case, the narrator stays behind. Some of the best lyrics of this song are:
“Now I know your name / But not who you are”
“But I still recall how the leather in your car feels / And at the end of it all I just hope that your scars heal”
1.) “Godlight”
This is perhaps Kahan’s most underrated work. This song perfectly describes internal struggle in a way that is hard to articulate. It is about finding inner reconciliation when the people you love are disappointed. It’s nostalgic, but also crushing.
Kahan’s discography is hard to sum up in just five songs. However, these are songs that everyone, fan of Kahan or not, should listen to. As fans patiently await for him to release his next album, they should go back and listen to his older tracks. Kahan wasn’t as famous when those were released, so they get put in the background while songs like “Northern Attitude” and “Stick Season” overshadow them.
westhe24@bonaventure.edu
