The Tartan

By Lily Stern

Noah Kahan is one of my favorite artists of all time, and he’s one of the most deserving stars accumulating virality in the current music scene. (And yes, I beat the TikTok hype completely independently years ago, and yes, I will brag about it.) Kahan, a 27-year-old Vermont native, has been at the forefront of the folk-pop resurgence, breaking into the mainstream market with hit single “Stick Season.” In October 2022, he released his identically titled third album, and followed with a deluxe companion, “Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever),” in June 2023. 

I could sit down for hours to talk about my thoughts on this man and his lyricism, his vocal quality, and his discography. But I have a specific set of songs to review. In late January, Kahan announced a final version of the album entitled “Stick Season (Forever),” containing eight collaborations on “Stick Season” songs and a bonus single. It hit streaming platforms on Feb. 9.

I think collaboration in the music industry is SO underutilized. Sure, there’s a plethora of viral rap remix verses every five business days, but I wish more artists took opportunities like Kahan to have regular reimagined tracks with artists they admire or mentor. His remakes have brought artists across genres to sing about mental health, relationship complexity, and new perspectives in his original sung narratives. I’m horrifically biased, so if you find Noah Kahan grating, you should stop reading. I have to spotlight each track (and obviously rank my favorites).

1. “Call Your Mom (with Lizzy McAlpine)”

This is among my most loved songs ever. I actually listen to this version more than the original “Call Your Mom.” McAlpine is one of my all-time favorite artists, and one thing she and Kahan share is the ability to make a quiet song gut-wrenching and powerful. This song is devastating, discussing supporting a struggling friend who is so close you know their family. It’s beautiful and upsetting in equal measure, and their voices sound like honey through it all. The harmonies in the final chorus also make me viscerally upset every single time. 

2. “Northern Attitude (with Hozier)”

I also love Hozier — I think Kahan is playing right into my tastes. This duo was predicted by fans as soon as the collabs became a repeated occurrence, and the single’s release was preceded by multiple live duets at festivals. “Northern Attitude” is about anxiety, fear, and self-forgiveness in equal measure. It would feel right at home on a Hozier album with its cathartic chorus. Hozier sings the second verse’s original lyrics, but the vocals he brings somehow make it even more powerful and haunting. Their vocals combined are even better, echoing all around you from the piercing refrain to the stripped outro and adding so much dimension to the song.

3. “Homesick (with Sam Fender)”

Before this song’s release, Kahan said Sam Fender inspired him to write songs about his hometown and his complex relationship with his life, making it perfect to invite him to collaborate. I didn’t listen to this track too much until their collaboration, but it has now climbed to my top five on the album. As a transplant who is constantly homesick no matter my complicated feelings now on what “home” is, I can’t help but scream the lyrics when I hear the chorus. Fender’s voice is crazy. His rewritten second verse aligns more with his childhood in England, yet keeps the original emotional cocktail of small-town meanness, nostalgia, and pride the same.

4. “Paul Revere (with Gregory Alan Isakov)”

Everyone knew a duet between these two was coming. “Paul Revere” is a fan favorite but severely underrated in the mainstream, and continues the theme of being a new resident wherever you are — always yet never home. Isakov’s haunting vocals make the sparse track even more evocative; he inspired the song, so I’m glad he accepted the feature. Even though the track’s strings, guitars, and harmonies begin to build in the outro, the song is still over too soon. Their voices go so well together, especially their contrasting high and low tones. It’s never a cathartic scream-out-loud experience, but more of a song you sit with for a while.

5. “She Calls Me Back (with Kacey Musgraves)”

I’m dancing around in my seat — this is just plain fun. “She Calls Me Back” is a story about an old relationship you’re still a little codependent on and a complete lack of boundaries between both parties (and some crazed yearner tendencies on Kahan’s part). Musgraves plays the ex-girlfriend, her new verse spotlighting her clear vocals. The bridge, outro, and infamous rattling-off of a phone number are some of my favorite lyrical moments on the album and I love the thumping snares behind the ending half. I hope this isn’t the last duet between them.

6. “Dial Drunk (with Post Malone)”

This marked the first collaborative track, and I had zero clue what to expect. Aside from Kahan’s hilarious nickname “Folk Malone” on TikTok in 2022, there’s… very little in common between the two artists. “Dial Drunk” paints a conversational picture of a past love you’d still give up anything for, placing heart-wrenching lyrics over a fast-paced beat and an earworm melody. Malone’s feature is full of double-time vocals basically rapping to a folk song, which feels a little out of place. While it’s not my favorite pairing for that second verse, I appreciate the choruses; their vocals somehow pair well and add a very raspy, gritty undertone to the lyrics. Maybe I’m just not a Posty fan, but it doesn’t hit home like the original.

7. “You’re Gonna Go Far (with Brandi Carlile)”

Everyone thought this song would have a Marcus Mumford feature (since Kahan is a better Mumford for real music enjoyers), and I would have eaten up every second of that duet. However, it’s literally Brandi. Carlile. Her new second verse furthers the messages of leaving for bigger, better things and welcoming each other back home when it’s over. Her voice is gorgeous, but at times, her vocal embellishments take over the track. It’s not as effective as the other songs for me feature-wise, though — something had to round out the bottom of the rankings.

8. “Everywhere, Everything (with Gracie Abrams)”

Say what you want about nepotism babies who can’t sing that well and I’ll probably agree, but Abrams is by far one of the more likable ones. This song is similar to Hozier’s “In a Week” on crazy levels lyrically, a sweet number about two lovers and their slightly morbid forever. It’s not one of my original album favorites — in fact, it’s down towards the bottom for me — but it’s a well-done song nonetheless. Abrams’ voice is very pretty in the second verse, but the power of the chorus is lost in her softer vocals, which is a bit of a shame when their unison choruses fall flat. Lyrically, it’s a standout. Melodically and vocally, it misses the mark for me.

BONUS: “Forever” 

Ah, yes, the titular track. Kahan has been teasing “Forever” for months, singing it live at concerts. He explains the track’s meaning as an exercise in changing perspectives. The song is dynamic and ever-changing, navigating different peaks and valleys from hesitant acoustic guitar to layered folk vocals. It’s cyclical, seamless, and gorgeous, a letter to your former self and those you shared that life with. It’s simply outside of this ranking and is just a moving piece of music. It’s a perfect ending to the “Stick Season” era.

This album cycle has been infinitely long, but this third installment is an incredibly fitting way to send it off. Every second has been filled with so much deserved acknowledgment and love for Kahan’s songwriting and musicianship on a deeply personal record, and his words ultimately say it better than I could: 

“The word ‘forever’ used to terrify me. … Now though, I’ve found forever to mean there is limitless possibility. There is so much joy in the world, waiting to be found. That is something that ‘Stick Season’ has shown me, that this year has shown me…. I hope you enjoy these songs, I hope they continue to find you in the times you most need them, like they did for me. I do not know what is next, but I’m glad I get forever to find it.”

“Stick Season (Forever)” is on all my playlists and all streaming platforms — and is likely playing in my ears as you read this article.