Words by Katherine Cardinale
New England (and the rest of the world!) rejoice, as Noah Kahan’s latest album, The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs, is finally here. After skyrocketing onto the mainstream music scene with the release of his previous record, Stick Season, Noah has headlined Fenway Park two times (with 4 more sold out shows to occur this summer!), received two GRAMMY® nominations, and joined the Billions Club on Spotify with his hit song, “Stick Season.” He is now back with his latest album, which is just further testament to his incredible songwriting skills and ability to connect with millions of fans worldwide.
The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs opens with “End of August,” which uses the end of summer as a metaphor for the emotions that are felt right before a moment concludes. Noah stated that he “wanted to create a scene that just felt like late summer in Vermont or in a small town where there’s just that total quiet and you can almost hear music in the air. One thing that my family and I have in Vermont is, like, I walk through the woods and the woods are haunted, but not by mean spirits. We’ve all individually said, ‘Oh, I heard voices in the woods,’ and when I was writing that, I wanted it to feel like what those voices would sing if you were just, like, walking through the woods or driving past the woods in Vermont.” This emotional tone continues throughout the rest of the record, with Noah discussing themes such as self-depreciation, family, and loss. Some of the album’s highlights include the lead single, “The Great Divide,” “Willing and Able,” which describes the songwriter’s relationship with his siblings, and the previously teased on tour, “Deny Deny Deny.” Through its lyrics and production, the record successfully encapsulates all of the reasons as to why Noah has become a household name and overnight success.
The album was also released along with a Netflix Original documentary, Out of Body, which largely covers the artist’s personal pressures and the events he’s had to overcome while being a famous, full-time musician. Out of Body pairs perfectly with The Great Divide, as it allows Noah to candidly share his life, including both his struggles and successes, even more than ever before.
Noah Kahan’s vulnerability and relatability have had a massive impact on his music and popularity, this latest record has introduced a brand new world of music for fans all over the globe while still staying true to Noah’s signature sound. Noah is heading out on a sold out headline tour this summer; however, you can be on the lookout for Verified Resale tickets here. This is a must see if you want to hear the record come to life!
Loudspeaker Collective 