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| Patrick McCormack |
Overall Review: 9/10
Stick Season could have easily been my favorite album last year if I had listened to it when it debuted. Indie Folk artist Noah Kahan can wrap up the overwhelming relentlessness of growing up, growing out of relationships, and familial and personal issues, all in less than an hour.
Kahan wrote this album in his hometown, Stratford, in his mother's home during the pandemic which radiates throughout as each song feels like a bittersweet homage to the New England small town. While the album makes it specific to where it is, anyone who lived in suburban or smaller towns can relate to the feelings told in the album. Whether you stayed back and watch everyone go, or you left and came back for a few days. Angry at the stagnation, angry at the change, this weird in-between, those emotions are made clear by Kahan perfectly not just through the lyricism, but the emotions, beats, and dynamics.
"Northern Attitude", the album's opener, starts as a catch-up to all that has been happening. Seeing friends and family grow as the mundane of everyday life engulfs this feeling of yearning for more but having to settle for less. Putting the blame on where and how he grew up, Kahan sings "If I get too close/ and I'm not how you hoped/ Forgive my northern attitude/ Oh, I was raised out in the cold." with a Kahan pleading, while a folk rock style plays.
The album's single, "Stick Season" is a bit more mellow and acoustic in its tune. While super catchy, the lyrics reflect on an old relationship, one that felt like it would be forever, now only a distant memory. The added scenery of Kahan's hometown adds to the somberness of "And I love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks/ and I saw your mom but she forgot that I existed" expressing the grief that comes from heartbreak, staying stuck in all the memories while everyone moves on.
My personal favorite from the album "Orange Juice" focuses on a friend's sobriety, the change that comes from it, and the perspective of it all from both parties. Kahan's perspective of just wanting to see and hear from that person again, while their friend struggles to feel the same way because of all they have gone through. Neither of them is to blame, such things make it hard to stay together like they used to, a situation that feels all too common.
Overall, the album has a lot of range in emotions and style, while staying close to its roots. While I personally hadn't heard of Kahan until this album, listening to previous tracks, it is clear to see the growth and maturity in this album. It can encapsulate such confusing feelings into easy listens and somber tunes. I had this album on loop for the early parts of this year, as I went back to college after winter break seeing so much of my hometown change. Its folky style feels almost nostalgic, but easy to listen to if you have never dipped your toes into the genre. Genuinely one of my favorite albums to come out of 2022, and one of my favorite albums heard this year!
~Limon☆
