We’ve Got No Complaints: The Return of Noah Kahan

Noah Kahan | by Patrick McCormack

One ridiculously hot evening, it was an Arizona summer after all, “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan filled the speakers of our backyard. “Wait, who is this??” I remember thinking to myself instantly. Long story short… I was hooked. I spent the summer of 2023 going down the slightly-depressing rabbit hole that is Noah Kahan’s music discography. I wish I could listen to songs like “You’re Gonna Go Far” and “No Complaints” for the very first time again. The feelings of comfort and understanding that flooded me were like no other.

Three not so long years later, Noah Kahan is officially back on the music scene with the release of his newest album, The Great Divide. I’m no folk-pop superstar myself, but I can only imagine the immense pressure Kahan felt throughout all aspects of creating this album; the writing, the recording, the release, and now the tour. Stick Season was arguably the album that set off Noah’s career, so I think the desire to live up to his fans’ expectations is completely valid. I truly had no doubt in my mind that this album would live up to my, and probably all of his fanbase’s, expectations and hopes. 

I had been anticipating release day for weeks. When the evening of Thursday, April 24th finally rolled around, I sat on my couch alone and listened to the album in its entirety. To be honest, I was immediately sold when I first heard the intro to “End of August.” “Wow, he’s done it again,” I thought. The feeling from three years ago was back. The comfort and connection I felt then, and continue to feel, with this album and Kahan’s discography is an incredible thing. 

The Great Divide album cover

Pre-released singles from The Great Divide “Porch Light” and “The Great Divide” remain foundational songs to the album. They both provide insight into the common themes of the inevitable changing nature of life, especially in terms of fame, navigating relationships, and accepting oneself and challenges as a part of who they are. I may be biased, but I truly believe The Great Divide is a no-skip album. Other singles that have gained traction since the album’s release, such as “Orbiter” and “Dan” remain some of the album’s most emotionally complex tracks, addressing topics such as isolation and grounding nature that positive friendships and relationships have. Both singles were released as a part of the album’s extended version, which included four extra songs that dropped not even 24 hours after the initial release. 

One thing I admire most about The Great Divide, and Noah’s music in general, is his ability to describe such complex emotions in such a beautiful way. He is very open and honest about his own personal mental health struggles and that support and advocacy shines through in his music. The best part is that you, the fan, don’t have to specifically know what Noah wrote the song about. He writes in a way that is so applicable to the general challenges of life that truly anyone can relate. There have been very few songs on the album that Noah has officially shared who/what he intended to write about. For example, the third track on the album, “American Cars” was written about Kahan’s older sister and their sibling dynamic. Even still, it’s up to your own interpretation of the lyrics. I believe this is one reason that Noah Kahan’s fan base continues to rapidly grow and is composed of diverse individuals with unique backgrounds and experiences. 

Kahan’s The Great Divide provides listeners with the feelings of support needed to do one of the scariest yet bravest things one can do: ask for help. The fact that Kahan is so open about his own mental health struggles, not only within his music but in conversations among his fan base, leaves fans feeling understood and more comfortable in the common human experience that it is okay to not be okay. 

To those of you who were lucky enough to win the Ticketmaster battle for his you, I applaud you. I hope you revel in all of the love and support you feel when you walk into that stadium. The connection you’ll experience not only listening to Noah’s music while experiencing it live, will make you feel hopeful and a part of something greater than yourself.