Noah Kahan’s folk-rock album, “The Great Divide,” reached 43 million global streams on its first day of release and is developing into a huge hit. 

The album has 17 tracks, including the title track “The Great Divide,” which was released as a single in January. Read the review of that single here. 

Kahan’s music typically focuses on feelings of nostalgia, loss, and relationships, and this album is no different. Each song tells a story of something or someone lost. It’s about moving on and yet staying still. 

Seventeen songs are a lot to cover, so I’ll just hit the highlights and talk about my favorites. 

The very first song, “End of August,” begins with soft piano and the sound of cicadas in the evening. As a kid who grew up in the south and played outside every day of the summer, that intro took me straight back to 10 years old. I could see the streetlamps turning on and just felt that it was time to head home. 

That vibe is one that carries throughout the entire album. It feels like wanting to come back home, but knowing that it will never be the same. 

“American Cars” and “Dashboard” are absolute shots to the heart for older siblings and siblings who have left home. These songs seem to be told from the perspective of younger siblings who are watching the eldest leave. 

“American Cars” begs them to come back because they’re the only one who makes the family feel whole. “Dashboard” has been interpreted by the TikTok community as a younger sibling being left behind and angry.

“Headed North” and “Dan” are two of the more upbeat tracks on the album. “Headed North” is missing someone, but wishing them well. Fans like it because of its timeless feel, but an ironic line about cybertrucks. “Dan” is about having a best friend you can turn to when life goes bad.

Kahan dropped a special surprise the day after his album release: an extended edition of the album titled “The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs.” This version includes four extra songs: “Staying Still,” “We Go Way Back,” “A Few Of Your Own,” and “Orbiter.” 

The album is making waves on streaming platforms, especially TikTok. Fans are using “Dashboard” and “Lighthouse” in movie edits, and a trend has popped up using “Dan” to show off your best friend. 

All in all, the album is a 10/10. I genuinely can’t pick a favorite song, and I’ve listened to the album twenty times. 

Being the oldest sibling and the first to go off to college, even if I just went up the road, I can tell you that “The Great Divide” is not for the weak. The entire album revolves around family more than romantic relationships, which is not typically the trend for modern music. 

The album made me want to call my mom (get it?) and hug my punk younger brother. I wanted to go get coffee with my friend and drive around with the windows down. It made me cry and laugh and feel so thankful for the people around me, all while missing the people who are no longer in my life. 

Thanks, Noah Kahan.

Categories: Arts & Entertainment