Critique on Album: Stick Season by Noah Kahan

John Denver's album "Back Home Again," arguably his most popular, was tragically cut short 27 years ago due to his untimely death. Fast forward to 2022, and Noah Kahan released his own folk masterpiece, "Stick Season," that has since seen expanded editions and critical acclaim.

"Stick Season" is a folk/indie folk album with strong Americana influences, exploring themes such as transitional periods in life, nostalgia, mental health, and heartbreak. The metaphor of "stick season"—the time between autumn foliage and winter snow—brings a unique touch to expressing these emotional states.

Since its initial release, Kahan's album has seen an extended version, Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), which features collaborations with artists like Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, Hozier, Brandi Carlile, Lizzy McAlpine, Gracie Abrams, Sam Fender, and Gregory Alan Isakov. This broadens the album's musical palette, adding diverse textures to tracks like "You’re Gonna Go Far" with Brandi Carlile, delivering a haunting melody perfect for expressing the pain of leaving home.

The title track, "Stick Season," became a viral hit and is noted for its bittersweet reflection on small-town life and the feeling of being caught between moments of change. Other highlights include "Dial Drunk," featuring Post Malone, which blends melancholy lyrics with soulful vocals, showcasing Kahan's ability to harmonize with artists across genres.

"The View Between Villages," concluding the album, picks up momentum and energy in its second half. Tracks like "The View Between Villages" and previously unreleased songs such as “Forever” add cathartic elements to the album, making it a must-listen for folk music enthusiasts.

"Stick Season" has been well received, earning 2x Platinum certification in 2025 for over two million copies sold, cementing Kahan's rising influence in folk and alternative music scenes.

If you're interested in Kahan's recent work, note his new single "Afraid of the Dark" released in August 2025 continues his indie folk vibe. The album consists of 10 tracks, divided into two sides, with the first track on Side A being "Northern Attitude," which features finger-picking and mentions growing up in cold conditions.

As for John Denver's "Back Home Again," it was released in 1974 and was unfortunately cut short due to the singer's tragic death. One of its standout tracks, "All My Love," is an upbeat song with easily obtainable lyrics, making it a fan favourite even today.

In a separate note, Taylor Swift's album "Folklore" was released in the summer of 2020, while the Crusader of the Week is Patrick Grudberg '24. Interestingly, Patrick's favourite singer or group is a tie between John Denver and Noah Kahan, with his favourite song being "All My Love" by Noah Kahan.

Will Hick '27 has written a review for the album "Back Home Again" by John Denver, and "She Calls Me Back" brings fun, lively energy to the topic of mutual interest. "Come Over" is a slow song that shares a story of growing up poor and having few friends, offering a fresh outlook on bringing others down when one is not feeling fine.

In summary, Stick Season is a folk-centered album rooted in emotional storytelling about change and mental health, enhanced by notable collaborations that have expanded its reach and complexity.

Noah Kahan's album "Stick Season" has received widespread praise in the entertainment industry, highlighting its intersection with various genres such as folk, indie folk, and Americana, as well as its exploration of themes relevant to campus life, including transitional periods, mental health, and heartbreak.
The campus music scene could potentially benefit from hosting events featuring both John Denver's classic songs and Noah Kahan's contemporary folk music, providing a unique blend of nostalgia and fresh perspectives on emotional storytelling.
As a campus feature, it would be intriguing to organize a discussion panel between music critics and contemporary artists like Noah Kahan and Taylor Swift, focusing on their opinions about the evolution of folk music and its role in addressing themes like change, mental health, and heartbreak in popular culture.