If you’ve ever been to the North-Eastern part on the United States, you may have heard older folks say the phrase, “stick season.” This was the case for the rising folk artist Noah Kahan. Noah Kahan has several music EPS, (albums with less than 12 songs) however, Kahan’s album Stick Season is what brought the artist his newfound fame, and for good reason too. Stick Season tells the story of Kahan’s experience of living in a small town where he constantly felt trapped. Kahan spilled his heart out, incorporating his most vulnerable moments not only into his lyrics, but also his spectacular instrumentals. I first heard the album back in 2023, and from the first song “Northern Attitude,” to the last song, “Forever,” I knew I had found my new favorite album.
Noah Kahan was born on January 1st, 1997, and grew up in the small town of Strafford, Vermont. His hometown is a very important factor in Kahan’s album. Vermont is the center of where his story takes place after all. Noah Kahan has just recently become a chart-topping song artist and was even a Grammy nominee for best new artist back in 2024! Kahan’s album Stick Season has sold over 600,000 records since its release back in 2022!
The overall theme of Noah Kahan’s Stick Season is self reflection, mental health, heartbreak, nostalgia, and the experience of growing up in an isolated small town. You can really see some of these themes through Kahan’s genius and moving lyrics. For example, in the song Northern Attitude Kahan says, “If the sun don’t shine till the summertime, forgive my “Northern attitude,” oh, I was raised on little light.” This lyric not only symbolizes seasonal depression, but this also shows an example of how growing up in a small, isolated town has impacted his attitude towards life itself. The lyrics in the song “Come Over”are another great example, “So, when they mentioned the sad kid on the sad house on Balch Street, you won’t have to guess who they’re speaking about.” This creates a sad and sympathetic mood and tone towards Kahan. Throughout the album, you will listen to Kahan spill his heart out about how where he grew up, and how it really impacted his life.
Noah Kahan definitely has some amazing foot tapping songs, he also has some amazing sad truthful songs. However, while I personally feel all his songs are good, there are definitely some I care less for than others. Some of my personal favorite songs from Stick Season are “Northern Attitude,” “Forever,” “The View Between Villages,” “Come Over,” “Everywhere Everything,” “No Complaints,” “Halloween,” and “Call Your Mom.” The reason why I think those songs are the best in the album is because not only is Kahan able to make you really feel the song your listening to through his lyrics, but the instruments are so good and play out in a way that puts the whole song together and gets you in your feels. However, some songs I gravitate towards less are “Still,” “Strawberry Wine,” and “You’re Gonna Go Far.” The reason I am not the biggest fan of these songs are because I feel Kahan’s lyrics in these songs are less impactful and moving. I also think that when these songs are compared to other tracks in the album, the instruments are not as heartfelt and don’t pull and tug on your heartstrings like his other songs do. However, there is not a single track on Stick Season I would categorize as “bad.”
Overall, I would rate this album a 9.5/10. This album is so beautifully written, put together, genuine, making it very hard not to like. Everything about the album is so impactful, and Kahan’s sincere lyrics really stick with you. So yes, I would 100% recommend giving Noah Kahan’s Stick Season a listen. After all, it is a nice refresh from radio music you hear on the daily.
