Noah Kahan's The Great Divide Review

I’ve been looking forward to Noah Kahan’s The Great Divide, and now it’s finally out. For anyone unfamiliar, Noah Kahan is a singer-songwriter from Vermont known for his emotionally honest folk-pop sound and contemplative lyrics. As a longtime fan, I was excited to hear how his music has changed with this album. The Great Divide explores topics of family, nostalgia, self-discovery, and ache for connection, all wrapped in Noah’s honest, emotionally charged songwriting. After my first listen, a few songs really stood out to me. I enjoyed the whole album and know I’ll be playing it on repeat, but these tracks were my favorites.

Doors immediately brought to mind Noah's desire to apologise to his father, as I discussed this week when reviewing his Netflix documentary. The song is filled with many of those family moments he shared in the documentary, which is why it resonates so deeply. I particularly love the line, "Have you ever shared some closeness so exposed to have it spit back by someone?"

Downfall is a slower song about losing someone and hoping you’re handling it better than they are. The narrator knows they’re struggling and wishes the other person were having an even harder time, since they haven’t moved on yet. Listening to it, I experienced a bittersweet combination of sadness and comfort, because the candid honesty about jealousy and heartbreak is something I think many people can relate to. It prompted me to reflect on my own interactions with letting go and the complicated feelings that come with it.

The Great Divide, which is the emotional title track, talks about the distance between him and someone he used to love. He shares his regrets and hopes the other person is doing well now. It's a song I've had on repeat since it first dropped as a single, thanks to the strong picture painted in the lyrics.

Haircut seems to be about how people see him differently now that he’s become famous, but he doesn’t see himself that way. Over the past few years, Noah’s sound and songwriting have subtly evolved from his early tracks on Busyhead, which had a raw, folk-inspired energy and focused on his internal battles with anxiety and a sense of belonging; his newer songs feel more expansive and layered in both production and perspective. Where Stick Season traced his struggle to discover his place in the world, this album shows Noah contemplating the demands of fame, public perception, and how these changes affect his identity. Lyrically, The Great Divide pairs his signature vulnerability with a fresh maturity, as he wrestles with both personal and external change. This new album shows that his relationship with himself and the world around him is changing as he grows as an artist. This idea comes through even more in the song "Porch Light," which feels like a similar story told from another angle. This was an interesting theme as well, having just watched his documentary; it connected to the time when we saw him recording and the frame of mind he was in.

Dashboard is about how you can’t escape yourself, no matter where you go. Even if you buy a plane ticket and hope to leave your problems behind, you still carry them with you.

We Go Way Back feels like a song you’d sing with an old friend on a chilly night under the stars, just talking and playing guitar. It gave me the same feeling I had when I reviewed Ali Whitton’s music, so I knew right away it belonged on my playlists. I love it when a song clicks like that! Thinking about the overall vibe of my playlist, I realised it captures that warm, reflective mood when you want to slow down and get nostalgic, perfect for relaxing evenings, road trips, or when you’re in the mood for heartfelt, meaningful lyrics. If you’re looking for music to unwind to or to share with close friends, this is definitely the playlist for you.

Overall, The Great Divide strikes a gentle balance between vulnerability and hope, blending honest storytelling alongside mellow melodies and thoughtful arrangements. The album creates a sense of comfort, prompting listeners to reflect on their own experiences as they connect with the heartfelt emotions in each track. If you enjoy introspective, folk-inspired music that explores self-development, relationships, and the road toward understanding yourself and others, you’ll likely find a lot to appreciate in this album.