Xennial-era Fans! Feeling this vibe, too?
I’m late 40’s F born and raised in one of Noah Kahan’s twin states (still here). I’ve been listening to him for years, and I don’t really know how I found him, but the first song was Young Blood in 2017 when it was released as a single, not associated with an album.
Then a few months ago the twenty-somethings in my office were talking about a Noah Kahan concert at Fenway and a bunch of them were going together. I adore this group, they’re amazing humans. My ears perked up when I heard their conversation and I said ‘Noah Kahan? Fenway? Who is he opening for?’ and they looked at me like I was literally insane. I had zero awareness that he had become so mainstream and was now a headliner (and at Fenway?!? Wtaf??) reaching so many different audiences and genres internationally. I had listened to a lot of his music (many songs were already part of my daily playlists) but I definitely hadn’t listened through full albums and didn’t even know how many albums he had released.
It seems Noah Kahan has lived a lot of life between the time I first connected with his music and now. There’s notable maturity and growth in both the lyrics and the music itself. I was just introduced to the newer stuff this year by my 24 yo son (he loves Porch Light, found it on TikTok which I don’t use), and I’m connecting with Noah Kahan’s music in a whole new way. He is articulating so many experiences I’ve had and also how I felt about them, though I never would’ve been able to find the words. I feel a deeply sad nostalgia when listening, like going back home to a time that’s lost (The View Between Villages in particular for that). It’s hard to put into words. It’s not a bad thing. It’s almost comforting. It’s helped me to reflect on some things from the past and realize it’s everyone. These things happen to everyone. We all carry these experiences and feelings and thoughts.
So, just here to say I’m grateful for his ability and willingness to put himself out there so openly. It feels like he’s singing for all of us. I hope his life eventually calms down so he can just be.
Peace, love and ladybugs from New England ✌️