The Great Divide, Noah Kahan’s New Single
- Madilyn Brus
- 25 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Nevertheless, “The Great Divide” is still a great song and follows many admirable themes, such as the grittiness of youth, hope, and the direction life takes you.
Noah Kahan, an artist who rose to relevance in 2022 with his album release called Stick
Season n has just released another hit song. Kahan started writing songs at the age of 8 and began uploading songs as a teenager. Before the release of Stick Season at the age of 25, Kahan had written and released 3 albums and 6 singles, not including collaborations with other lesser-known artists. Kahan has been dedicated to his passion even before he gained the fame he has today. Since 2022, he has released 2 extended releases of Stick Season and collaborated with artists such as Post Malone, Gracie Abrams, and Hozier. Noah has just released a single called “The Great Divide” as a teaser for his new album of the same title coming in April of 2026.
Review of Song/Genre
“The Great Divide” follows the same genre and general feeling of many of Kahan’s other songs. They are upbeat and often follow themes of hopefulness and desire for more. The song does feel slightly off balance, though. The chorus of the song went viral on TikTok before the song was released, but the rest of the verses feel a little like an afterthought. The writing in comparison is not as invigorating or dynamic. It all feels comparatively less catchy. Nevertheless, “The Great Divide” is still a great song and follows many admirable themes, such as the grittiness of youth, hope, and the direction life takes you.
Recommendations for other songs
If you haven’t already—and if you have—listen to Noah’s 2022 album Stick Season. It is a beautiful mix of folk and pop that is perfect for long road trips, hikes, and spending time with loved ones. The album is about loving life even when you feel like you’re losing at it, and wanting to escape your small town and seemingly mundane life. As teenagers, I feel like we are often stuck in our situation; we can’t leave our small life so easily. Noah Kahan’s music is the relatable music teenagers are looking for, he captures how it feels to be trapped, to be lost, and the craving for life while preserving the upbeat rhythm and if you will screamable lyrics that we all love.
Hozier
Hozier is a folk artist like Noah Kahan who takes inspiration from nature and life around him. Hozier often also writes songs with themes that inspire thoughts of forests, relationships, and mythical creatures. His most recognizable song is "Take Me To Church" from his self-titled 2013 EP. He writes a myriad of styles and tempos; there is something for everyone in Hozier's discography.
Lizzy McAlpine
Lizzy McAlpine is an indie folk artist who has recently gained more traction with her songs “Doomsday” and “Pushing It Down and Praying.”
She has a more folky album that was released in 2020 called Give Me a Minute, but has recently gained more popularity with her 2022 album Five Seconds Flat and her 2024 album Older.
These songs feature passionate, heavy lyrics and backing that invite the listener to feel the emotions as deeply as Lizzy. These songs come from the heart and are the epitome of relatability.
Although my criticism of the first song may seem harsh, I am a Noah Kahan fan and look forward to the rest of the album. Until then, look into the artists I referenced above for a folky fix.
