Album Review: Stick Season

One of my all-time favourite musicians is Noah Kahan.

So yes, I am going into this with a pre-existing bias.

His music became extremely popular over this last year because of Tik Tok. This was the way I re-discovered him. I had downloaded the album’s title song, Stick Season a few months beforehand and played it on repeat. After discovering the album I became quickly obsessed and so did millions of others.
In honour of Noah announcing his tour and visit to Edmonton on March 29th, I thought I would go over my favourite songs on the album

This is the title song that caught my attention a few months ago.

Noah stated in an interview with Genius that the term ‘Stick Season’ is used to describe a

“…really miserable time of the year. It’s just kind of grey and cold, and there’s no snow yet.”

Noah Kahan – Genius Interview

He wrote this song during the pandemic and it shows through the lyrics connection with what it feels like to be trapped in a cycle with no lifeline like most of us during 2020.This song and many others from this album will most likely resonate with those of us from smaller towns where once again, there is no real escape from those that hurt you other than leaving.

The album Stick Season was released on October 14th of last year. The set debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 albums chart but regained massive interest in June of this year.
Noah released an extended version that month with seven new tracks, including the Tik Tok teased single, Dial Drunk. This song has reached most people interested in the indie genre, including Post Malone who later featured on the track. Noah said this felt like a full circle moment since he covered Postie’s Congratulations when he was first starting his career. The song is from the perspective of a person who keeps making mistakes in the name of someone they love but not being capable enough to change their ways. This song was discussed and analyzed by many who were able to draw things from their own experiences and connections through the lyrics, which was Noah’s hope.

This song is one that makes me feel like I’m in it. The song hits quite close to home for someone who also comes from a rural small town background like Noah. Leaving can be one of the hardest parts but also the best in order to grow like we discussed earlier. The song depicts the feeling of being caught between different phases of life. A nice added touch to this version of the song is that you hear discussions from locals in Strafford, Vermont, his hometown. There is also another reason for it being extended and that is because this is a crowd favourite and fans resonated with it so much. Noah aimed to please by extending this song and it was an overall success.

While being caught between phases in life, things once familiar can become unrecognizable. Noah’s song New Perspective speaks to one’s surroundings changing and not being able to keep up. It shows how we can grow out of places, people and things. Nostalgia will still remain but this song speaks about the hurt you can experience while healing from those memories. I have always found it is harder to change your ways and move on as you age. Children and teenager’s are learning and constantly changing, whereas once we hit “adulthood” we assume the changes end. When in reality, they never will and this song speaks directly to that.

Overall this album is heartbreakingly beautiful and I am ecstatic he is receiving the recognition he deserves. If you enjoy thoughtful lyrics, wide tempo changes, and eviscerating crescendos this is a must listen. Noah Kahan is an artist we have definitely not heard the last of.

His North American “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour begins March 26 in Vancouver before ending July 19th in Boston.

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