MACKENZIE SMITH / CONTRIBUTOR

Last Friday, April 24, Noah Kahan officially released his newest album “The Great Divide.” Kahan opened his album with the ambient sounds of a warm summer night in his home state of Vermont, immediately setting a reflective and intimate tone. As the album unfolds, it takes listeners through his childhood in the small New England state, capturing both the simplicity and complexity of growing up there. 

Kahan weaves in deeper themes, alluding to his struggle with fame, leaving his hometown, substance use and his evolving friendships. This contrast between nostalgia and vulnerability gives the album emotional depth, allowing listeners to connect with his experiences and feelings of change.
USD first-year Ella Gomas shared her thoughts on the album.

“I really liked the song ‘Dan,’” Gomas said. “I think that a lot of people can relate to it because it’s about how life changes and how people change around you, and that’s just the reality of how life is.” 

Kahan is a folk singer-songwriter from Strafford, Vt., whose career first gained major attention in 2019 with the album “Busyhead.” After returning to Vermont during the pandemic, his sound shifted to a more raw and introspective style, focusing on personal experiences and his life in New England. In 2020, he released the EP “Cape Elizabeth” followed by the album “I Was/I AM” in 2021. In 2022, his song “Stick Season” gained popularity on TikTok, propelling him into the mainstream.

“The Great Divide” is Kahan’s fourth album and continues along the acoustic driven folk music he has become known for. The project leans heavily into textured, folk forward instrumentation, creating a sound that feels grounded. Produced by Gabe Simon and Aaron Dessner, the album carries a thoughtful tone that reflects their influence. 

While the themes remain similar to those explored in “Stick Season,” this album shifts its focus more toward the complicated emotions that come with leaving home and the impact it can have on relationships. Songs like “Dashboard” and “All Them Horses” highlight these ideas by offering different perspectives on leaving one’s hometown. “Dashboard” captures the frustration and anger of someone watching their close friend leave, while “All Them Horses” is a contemplative approach from the individual that is leaving. 

USD sophomore Hailey Power listened to the album while flying home.

“It definitely made me emotional,” Power said. “It does a really good job evoking concepts of being home versus being away and how it affects the people in your life.”

Prior to the album’s release, Kahan announced a tour following the Grammy stage premiere of his new music video for “The Great Divide.” The tour spans more than 20 cities, including a stop in San Diego on August 17th and four sold-out nights at Fenway Park.

Kahan also released a documentary, “Noah Kahan: Out of Body” on Netflix where he discusses his mental health struggles and the time he spent back in his home state while working on the album. The documentary offers fans a deeper look into the personal experiences that shaped both his music and his growth as an artist.

USD sophomore Wendy Cook is obsessed with the documentary.

“I think the documentary and the new album both show a vulnerability that would be hard for anyone else to express so publicly,” Cook said. “One thing the documentary did was mirror his music by being more honest about his mental health than I have seen any other celebrity do.”

As for the future, Kahan is expected to appear on “Saturday Night Live” May 9 with fellow New Englander Matt Damon and will continue to make music about Vermont, his roots and his complicated background.