On a day where the sky is full of gray clouds and rain is drizzling, I write this album review. Noah Kahan, of Stafford, Vermont, delivered yet another emotional, tear-jerking album titled, The Great Divide on April 24. The album was tragic, in the best way possible, if it is possible.
Kahan, coming off the historic album of Stick Season in which he released four years ago, brings the same amount of raw emotion and story telling in this album.
All 17 songs in the original release are heartfelt pieces that contain tons of beautifully crafted and handpicked lyrics.
Kahan released two tracks from the album earlier, Porch Light and the title track, The Great Divide.
Both of those songs sing of loss.
“Poison spreadin’ to my lungs. I ain’t holdin’ breath, ain’t holdin’ any faith at all. And I’ll pray for you, be in pain for you. I’ll leave the porch light on. Heartbroken, each mornin’ when it’s me that turns it off.”
That verse, which comes from Porch Light, lends to the idea that Kahan is singing of a disconnection of a friend that struggles with health issues.
The Great Divide is very similar in that Kahan is talking of this person he lost. The album cover that shows two young boys running, sets the scene for the album perfectly as Kahan reminisces to his younger days.
“You know I think about you all the time. And my deep misunderstanding of your life. And how bad it must have been for you back then. And how hard it was to keep it all inside.”
The pre-chorus above is a line that sticks out to me a lot.
As the album goes on, the songs keep within the theme of loss, heartbreak and reminiscing. The album sticks with the authentic Kahan sound of guitar, banjo and of course, the mandolin.
For the better part of the album, most songs are quiet. They stick to the prominence of Kahan’s voice. But in Deny, Deny, Deny, it’s a bit louder.
The next song in the album, Headed North, sounds like Kahan recorded it outside with a chorus of crickets behind him, and an authentic curse word at the beginning as he struck a wrong chord on the guitar.
The song is also upbeat, which serves as some variety. Kahan also has a comedic line of, “But if I see one more cyber truck, I swear to God I’m gonna floor it.”
On the same day that Kahan released The Great Divide album, he also released the deluxe version of it as well titled, The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs. With the release, four new songs were added.
These four for Kahan, are some of his favorites from the album.
For those who don’t know, in Forever, Kahan’s deluxe version of Stick Season, he mentions that same phrase: The last of the bugs.
This album stayed true to the heart of Kahan. His voice still triggers emotion and tears. It was the perfect mix of folk, rock and hints of country. It was refreshing to see Kahan back strong and these songs will go perfect with rainy and days that you just want to feel real emotion.