On June 9, 2023 (the release date later revealed to purposely make a 69 joke) American folk-pop artist, Noah Kahan released the deluxe version of his popular album Stick Season entitled Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever). The niche community of East Coast folk music enjoyers eagerly awaited the album, so much so that I couldn’t even scroll through Twitter without encountering at least one person talking about their hopes and wishes for the sound and general vibe of the album.
Typically I am not an album listener. Instead I choose to curate very particular amalgamations of songs to suit a specific mood; however, when I first heard Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), I knew I had found my album. I listened to it when I first got up in the morning, in the shower, making breakfast, studying — I listened to it absolutely everywhere.
Noah Kahan has an amazing voice. It’s gritty and real, but he can also make it sound soft and calming. This is to say he has exquisite range in his sound. Due to the sheer amount of hype for this album, I found myself already knowing most of the lyrics to the songs “Dial Drunk” and “No Complaints.” It’s obvious you really like a song when you can listen to the same 40 seconds on repeat without getting bored. To me, it was also really surprising that I still liked these songs in their full versions after hearing the teasers. I have often been burned by the bass boosted and sped-up versions of songs on Tiktok, but there was truly no disappointment; only excitement to have the extended versions.
Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) also features seven new songs, and the album truly has music for every vibe. There are heartbreaking songs about struggling with mental health or your love life, but there are also some simple bangers about small town life. Stick Season and its predecessor sound the way hope feels. Noah Kahan explores how lonely it feels to grow up in a small town, and the burning desire to leave and become something bigger than yourself — something that hits quite close to home. The first time I heard “Stick Season,” it was midnight, and I was driving with all the windows down, screaming all the lyrics with someone who has grown to be one of my closest friends. This is the same way Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) deserves to be listened to. To tune into the essence of this album, you’ll need passion, and just a little bit of anger directed at the world.
“Your Needs, My Needs” sets a somber tone for the beginning of the deluxe version, but I think sad songs and feelings are what Noah Kahan does best. Potentially, this song is about a failing relationship and how one of the partners watched the other lose themselves to their inner demons. Somehow he can make you feel a whole whirlwind of emotions in only the three minutes a standard song takes. There is beauty in the way Kahan’s music can be applied to a plethora of situations, with it being part of the reason why I believe this new album should be more well known. Another personal favorite of the new additions is “Call Your Mom” which, according to fan theory, depicts someone suffering from depression while Kahan intends to do everything in his power to make sure they get better. Honestly, I didn’t grasp the full meaning of this song until I looked into it, and now that I know — wow.
Kahan’s lyrics are unmatched in my book, as his songs always relate to me on deeply personal levels. However, this is not to say the topics of his songs are niche to one type of audience — in fact it’s quite the opposite! I love that he battles topics that plague so many people, as it makes listeners feel as though they aren’t alone in their struggles. It gives a sense of peace.
Wholeheartedly, I have nothing bad to say about this album, except for the shame that it’s not already more popular. In my opinion, Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), has the diversity and range to be the album of the summer. I know it’ll be on repeat for my road trips!
Gianna Dinwoodie is currently working towards her BA in Political Science and hopes to pursue a minor in Journalism. When she is not seen writing mountains of essays for her classes, she enjoys poetry and literature of any sort. Especially of the horror or psychological thriller genre! Don't ask her to watch a horror movie though, she'll probably cry...