Following immense success from his previous breakout album, “Stick Season,” Noah Kahan delivers yet another beautifully composed piece of work in his fourth studio album “The Great Divide,” which was released on Friday. Composed of 17 poetic and atmospheric tracks, the “The Great Divide” brings a newfound honesty and emotional reckoning to Kahan’s writing. The lyrics of each track delicately create a vivid and melancholic montage of fractured relationships, internal angst, sobriety issues, and a profound sense of restlessness tied to insecurity. The album serves as a journal of Kahan’s most intimate thoughts and feelings, creating a personal relationship with those who listen to the album, built on shared experiences, emotional trauma and the thoughts that quickly become relentless echoes.
“The Great Divide” opens with “End of August,” which begins with a soft and piano-heavy tune that breathes in feelings of nostalgia and exhales a sense of serenity. Through the soft chirping of crickets, and the growing swell of the melodic piano, Kahan’s voice rings clear, echoing through the song as he sings into an incomprehensible void. Time seems to pass Kahan in his little town as the song progresses, his cynicism of a brighter future rooted in stability nestled in the lyrics “Everything you see out here will die. Oh, it’s a matter of time.” “End of August” is one of the most hauntingly beautiful tracks on the album, and opens the body of work with a display of Kahan’s musical talent.
“Doors” begins as a much more upbeat track than “End of August,” with vibrant guitar and drum melodies that fans are almost accustomed to. As the song progresses, the guitar comes more to the front, and the solemn lyrics that juxtapose the buoyant instruments deliver a dose of the painful insecurity that soaks every line. “American Cars” is another song where the guitar is given a chance to shine, pushing the song into a less introspective tone into one of liveliness. This track further develops Kahan’s narrative surrounding a desire to self isolate, opening with the lyrics “I was working on a plan to disappear completely … gaslight my friends into thinking I was busy.” Both “Door” and “American Cars” are stand out tracks on the album, nicely offsetting the melancholic feel found in the tracks before them.
“Downfall” introduces a clap-like addition into the track, making it stand out from previous songs on the album. Here, Kahan’s voice sounds exceptional, emotionally strained yet still powerful. While “Paid Time Off” may not be the most melodic song on the album, the tempo at which Kahan sings makes the song seem rhythmic and pairs nicely with the simplistic guitar.
“The Great Divide” track seven on the album, was the original single Kahan released on Jan. 30 ahead of the album in its entirety. While the single does have an engaging rhythm and a degree of depth when it comes to storytelling, the song as a whole falls short of its peers in terms of emotionally nuanced lyricism or mellifluous instrumentation.
“Willing and Able” is a song that is more similar to “End of August” than the others. Its soft guitar creates an intimate setting, and Kahan’s silky yet burdened voice throughout the piece acts as a beacon of desperation for a loving relationship. Throughout the piece, there is an almost unbearably heavy weight that settles on those who listen, elevating the emotional complexity of the track. “Willing and Able” is a reflection of the inherent intricacies of the human relationship, the innate sense of needing comfort, while carrying the resentment of the past. One of the most powerful songs on the album, “Willing and Able” is a masterclass in how to write a soul-crushing piece.
“Dashboard” returns to a fusion of sentimental singing with a simple guitar rhythm that elevates the mood of the song. Here, there is a shift from self-deprecation to a tone of resentment, mostly directed at himself for leaving those he loves. The more aggressive tone of Kahan’s singing pairs well with the continuous influx of loud instruments throughout the piece. “Porch Light” is one of the more rhythmically intriguing tracks on the album, as the employment of repetition makes the song feel more poetic than others on the body of work. While Kahan’s voice drives the song forward for the most part, it wavers at times, creating a tortured tone.
“We Go Way Back” and “Dan” are two sides of the same coin, overflowing with immense longing and a sense of love for others that supersedes the pain laced throughout the rest of the track. Both of these songs illustrate Kahan’s ability to tell a story in an incredibly nuanced and emotionally dense delivery.
Other tracks such as “23,” “Haircut,” “All Them Horses,” “Headed North” and “Spoiled” fall to the backburner, their lack of complex development putting them behind the more remarkable songs on the album.
Above all else, “The Great Divide” is a worthy successor to Kahans’ albums before it, illustrating his personal growth through complex and raw lyricism, as well as serving as an indicator to the style in which Kahan will establish himself as a prolific music artist.
Standout tracks: “We Go Way Back,” “Willing and Able,’ “Dan,” “Dashboard,” “End Of August,” “Deny Deny Deny”
Not-so standout tracks: “23,” “Haircut,” “All Them Horses,” “Headed North,” “Spoiled”
Overall Rating: 4.75/5
