While Noah Kahan now has four albums, he first became popular after the release of his third album, “Stick Season (Forever)” in 2024, specifically the song “Stick Season,” which became well known from its features on the radio and on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
Now, around two years later, Kahan’s new album is making headlines again across various news websites. Additionally, there is already a TikTok trend to the song “Orbiter.”
This album is his best yet. The emotion, lyrics and vocals are unmatched, and it seems that with every album, Kahan’s skills improve further.
Even though all of the songs on the album are incredible, these are the three best songs which represent the diversity and creativity of the album. Out of the entire album, I hope to hear these songs on his upcoming tour.
Doors
The second song on the album, “Doors” hit especially hard for me because of the brilliant lyrics throughout the song. I like that it’s upbeat because it creates contrast between songs, and keeps the listener guessing on what they’ll hear next.
A lyric that really stood out was “I’d hurt anyone I could / Anyone who got too close, anyone who wouldn’t look.” This verse introduces the theme of wanting to be seen by those around you, but pushing away the people who notice you. Kahan explores this theme throughout the song.
The bridge is the most expressive and emotional part of every song and hits harder than most. Kahan sings, “Have you ever stared directly at the sun? / Have you ever shared some closeness, so exposed, to have it spit back by someone?”
Overall, this song is incredible. It is so impressive how he expresses the theme throughout the song with his carefully written lyrics. The background music of his electric and acoustic guitar builds throughout the song, and gets louder during the bridge, which makes the lyrics hit even harder.
Willing and Able
This song is the tenth track on the album and starts soft, similarly to “End of August”– but with a guitar instead. Through the song, Kahan discusses complex family relationships. He goes through the emotions of seeing family after a while and fighting about past issues.
While most of the song expresses the frustration of fights and distance, the repeated lyric of “I’m willing and able” changes the mood. Kahan explores hatred and betrayal, but the overall theme is that he still has that soft spot and wants to make things better if possible.
The bridge of this song absolutely tears me apart. With the building music, Kahan sings, “Oh, I wish you could know me / And I wish I could know you much more sometimes.” These lyrics are absolutely devastating because it explains the feeling of being disconnected from a certain family member, but wanting so badly to change that.
The acoustic guitar is consistent throughout the album, but during this bridge the drums overpower everything to accentuate the intense mood the lyrics also present.
We Go Way Back
“We Go Way Back” is the sixteenth song, creating a sentimental mood towards the end of the album. It touched me because of the quieter vocals, unlike the other songs. There’s not a big or loud build or bridge: instead, the lyrics stay meaningful while being gentle and touching.
One lyric that stands out is “Tell me I don’t need options, that I have substance, that I’m important / if it’s only for letting dogs out, sweeping porches, well make me nothing.” These lyrics show the importance of the smaller things in life, establishing a loving mood.
The lyrics combined with the instrumentals of piano and folk strings reminds me of looking out the window on a long car ride and realizing appreciation for the important people in life.
Our world can be fast-paced, but this song gives a moment of silence and recognition for the slow moments, small things and ordinary days.
Looking at the album as a whole, I would rate it a ten out of ten and consider it Kahan’s best album. Through the lyrical way of his songs and music, he pulls at just about every emotion, even the ones you didn’t know you had.
Because this album already sounds great through the speakers of a phone, it will sound even better live with Kahan’s acoustic guitar.
