Review: Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever)

Noah Kahan’s Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) released a deluxe version of his newest album on June 9th, 2023, only eight months after the album itself, adding seven brand-new songs to the mix. The first Stick Season album, which was released on October 14, 2022, focused on reflection, childhood, confrontation of old familiarities, and the ability to move on. Kahan has spoken in multiple interviews about the album’s connection to his upbringing in New England.

“Dial Drunk”

Perhaps the most well-known song in the album, only took a few months of exposure until it was put on radio stations. The Alternative Folk song depicts a love story where the singer, who’s gotten himself in trouble and winds up at a police station, recalls how desperate he felt after his love interest refused to pick up his bail-call: “…It rang and rang, even the cops thought you were wrong for hanging up.” 

Though comedic, the song also addresses self-reflection and self-forgiveness. He sings, “I ain’t proud of all the punches that I’ve thrown, in the name of someone I no longer know.” Kahan writes about the duality of taking responsibility for his actions while also accepting that he would never act this way now.  

The storyline, as well as the upbeat instruments and fast tempo, add to the ironic cheeriness of the song’s tone. It may not be the most poetic of the new songs, but it is absolutely the most radio-ready choice of the seven and a definite fan favorite. 

“Paul Revere”

“One day I’m gonna cut it clear. Ride like Paul Revere…” The lyrics allude to Paul Revere who rode into Lexington, MA, with news that British soldiers stationed in Boston were about to invade. The singer relates Paul Revere’s goal-driven ride out of Boston to his own, where his own driven motivation is what drives him out of the city. 

The bridge at the very end of the song shifts from a motivated tone to a more bittersweet one.  He describes a moment of reflection: “But I’m in my car, and I see the yard: The patch of grass where we buried the dog.” A sad but nonetheless familiar setting. Despite knowing this is not the place that the singer belongs, it’s still the only place he’s ever known. 

The last line is heard twice, “If I could leave, I would’ve already left,” before the song goes out on a minor chord. It leaves the listener in a confused place, depicting both the loss and the triumph of endings. 

“You’re Gonna Go Far”

Similar to Paul Revere, this song also addresses leaving a familiar place, but from a much different perspective. In this song, Noah Kahan has illustrated a character who is talking to a loved one who is leaving. 

“You’re Gonna Go Far” combats the guilty feelings of leaving your town with reassuring support that it is okay to leave in pursuit of dreams. Kahan sings: “Pack up your bag, put a hand over your heart. Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are. We ain’t angry at you love. You’re the greatest thing we’ve lost.” An automatic tear-jerker in its endearing tone and comforting phrases. 

The song is slower, less instrumentally-driven, and overall lighter-feeling than the others. Anyone who has faced the complex feelings of an ending will find the beauty in the sadness of this song. 

“No Complaints”

“No Complaints” reflects Noah Kahan’s personal growth in self-care while also acting as a wider reflection on mental health. Perhaps one of the worst feelings, the song makes clear, is feeling like your problems aren’t “big enough” to deserve sympathy or complaints. 

The song title is a reference to the last line in the chorus: “And forgot how to cry. Who am I to complain?” A line indicating a position where one’s struggles are not considered “low enough” to deserve pity. 

With a contrastingly slow tempo and steady percussion, the song addresses the harsh guilt found when comparing pain and struggles. The repeated questions in the lyrics reflect the importance of gratefulness and self-care, even during harsh times. 

“Call Your Mom”

This song is another fan favorite. Kahan has admitted that, despite its popularity, this song is incredibly hard for him to play live in concert because of the emotional value it has to him.

Kahan paints a cautious and worrisome scene, with a setting described as a “Waiting room, no place to stand” and imagery such as “Wringing hands, and the loudest silence.” Through lines expressing the singer’s tone, such as: “Oh, dear, don’t be discouraged. I’ve been exactly where you are,” and “All lights turned off can be turned on,” Kahan perfectly combats worry with ease.

The song is about watching a loved one spiral out and longing to help them however possible. It is melodious, echoey at times, and the chaos of the sound increases as it continues. 

The View Between Villages (Extended)

This song is a returner from Stick Season, but this extended rendition nearly doubles the song’s run time.  “The View Between Villages” starts off with a task of “splitting the roads down the middle,” as Kahan decides that the only proper way to truly look at his hometown is to view it as a middle-ground, somewhere right in between idolizing a place and reprimanding it. 

The singer first reflects upon his worry free youth: “I’m seventeen again. I am not scared of death. I’ve got dreams again,” and then addresses the imperfections and anger this place had given him: “The death of my dog, the stretch of my skin. It’s all washing over me, I’m angry again.” The song does a beautiful job of capturing the conflicting feelings of love and hate for the same situation or setting. 

The extended version features quiet dialogue during an instrumental section near the end of the song from two longtime residents of Kahan’s hometown, Melvin Coburn and Hazel Lewis. Lewis and Coburn can be heard chatting about their love for their home in Strafford, Vermont, and their view on small towns. Their genuine love for their community is tear-jerking and relatable to many small-town residents. 

Since the release of the extended album, Kahan has done collaborations on his new songs with artists such as Lizzy McAlpine, Kasey Muscgraves, and Post Malone. The album is made especially for small-town residents, future high school graduates, and anyone who’s experienced what it is like to part from something loved. Noah Kahan’s name is growing as he proves his talent.