The Duet King: 7 Essential Noah Kahan Songs And The Superstar Collaborations That Redefined His Career
In a music landscape often dominated by fleeting trends, Noah Kahan has carved out a monumental, deeply personal space that has propelled him from a Vermont folk-pop troubadour to a global superstar. As of December 2025, his breakout album, Stick Season, continues to dominate global charts, cementing its place as the biggest song of 2024 and celebrating an impressive 100 weeks on the UK charts, reaching the coveted Number 1 spot.
The secret to his explosive, sustained success lies not only in his poignant, deeply relatable lyrics about small-town life and mental health but also in his strategic and star-studded collaborations. Kahan has earned the moniker "The King of Collaborations" by re-releasing key tracks with artists like Post Malone, Hozier, and Olivia Rodrigo, introducing his unique indie-folk sound to entirely new audiences and redefining his musical legacy.
Noah Kahan: A Brief Biography and Profile
Noah Kahan is an American singer-songwriter whose heartfelt music blends the genres of folk, pop, and indie-rock, often categorized as "folk-pop" or "indie-folk." His work is characterized by introspective lyrics that explore themes of homesickness, longing, mental health struggles, and the complexities of small-town life in New England.
- Full Name: Noah Kahan
- Date of Birth: January 1, 1997
- Birthplace: Strafford, Vermont, United States
- Hometown: Strafford, Vermont (Grew up on a family tree farm)
- Career Start: Began writing songs at the age of eight. Signed to Republic Records in 2017.
- Major Albums: Busyhead (2017), I Was / I Am (2021), Stick Season (2022)
- Genre: Folk-Pop, Indie-Folk, Indie-Rock
- 2024 Achievements: Nominated for Best New Artist at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Won Top Rock Album at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards for Stick Season.
The Duet King: Ranking the Essential 'Stick Season' Collaborations
The overwhelming success of the *Stick Season* album was amplified by the release of the *Stick Season (Forever)* collection, which featured a series of high-profile duets. These collaborations were a masterclass in cross-genre appeal, solidifying Kahan’s reputation as a genre-blending powerhouse. Here are the most essential songs and their all-star duets.
1. Stick Season (with Olivia Rodrigo)
The original track is the cornerstone of Kahan’s success, but the collaboration with pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo took the song to new heights. Rodrigo’s ability to tap into raw, youthful emotion perfectly complements Kahan’s melancholic folk sound, creating a viral moment that introduced the song to a massive, younger audience. The song's themes of seasonal affective disorder and small-town stagnation resonated globally.
2. Dial Drunk (with Post Malone)
Perhaps the most unexpected pairing, the "Dial Drunk" duet with Post Malone was a stroke of genius. The song, which deals with the anxiety and regret of late-night calls fueled by alcohol and longing, gained a gritty, hip-hop-tinged edge from Post Malone’s unique vocal delivery. This collaboration was instrumental in pushing Kahan’s music onto pop and rock radio formats, making it one of his biggest crossover hits.
3. Northern Attitude (with Hozier)
Often cited as the most emotionally powerful of the collaborations, "Northern Attitude" with Irish singer-songwriter Hozier is a flawless blend of two incredible voices. The song’s expansive, anthemic quality, which explores themes of emotional distance and the coldness of a New England winter, was magnified by Hozier’s soulful, powerful vocals. This track is a favorite among critics and fans for its depth and raw emotion.
4. Call Your Mom (with Lizzy McAlpine)
A deeply personal and sensitive track, "Call Your Mom" addresses the importance of reaching out to a loved one struggling with mental health. The addition of Lizzy McAlpine, another rising star known for her delicate and vulnerable songwriting, adds a layer of tender empathy to the song. It’s a powerful anthem for mental health awareness, a recurring and essential theme in Kahan’s songwriting.
5. She Calls Me Back (with Kacey Musgraves)
The duet with country-pop icon Kacey Musgraves brought a sophisticated, warm texture to "She Calls Me Back." The song, which details the push and pull of a relationship and the yearning for connection, is elevated by Musgraves’ smooth, signature vocals. It highlights Kahan's ability to seamlessly integrate his folk roots with elements of country and Americana.
6. You're Gonna Go Far (with Brandi Carlile)
This collaboration with the legendary Brandi Carlile offers a beautiful, soaring moment of encouragement and bittersweet farewell. Carlile’s voice, known for its powerful sincerity, perfectly captures the song's theme of watching a loved one leave home to pursue a dream. It's an emotional highlight on the *Stick Season (Forever)* collection.
7. Paul Revere (with Gregory Alan Isakov)
"Paul Revere," a collaboration with indie-folk stalwart Gregory Alan Isakov, is a nod to Kahan’s deep roots in the folk genre. The track is a haunting, evocative piece that speaks to the feeling of being left behind in a small town. Isakov’s involvement lends an air of authenticity and respect from the established folk community to Kahan’s mainstream success.
Looking Ahead: The Great Divide and Noah Kahan’s Future
With the *Stick Season* era drawing to a close, the music world is eagerly awaiting Noah Kahan’s next move, and the artist has already started dropping tantalizing hints about his upcoming work. He is currently teasing a new album, which fans speculate may be titled "The Great Divide," with a potential release date estimated for late 2025 or early 2026.
Kahan has been performing unreleased songs, including the track "Nothing to Report," during live shows, giving fans a sneak peek at his evolving sound. He even used a secret TikTok account, "The Last of The Bugs," to tease new material, building a sense of mystery and anticipation among his devoted following.
His continued focus on themes of small-town nostalgia, anxiety, and the transition to adulthood—all filtered through his signature acoustic guitar and soulful voice—suggests the new album will continue to explore the emotional complexities that have made his music so universally resonant. The topical authority of his work is built on this authenticity, which is why his songs connect deeply with listeners who feel "Everywhere, Everything" and "Homesick" all at once.
From his early tracks like "Young Blood" and "Hurt Somebody" to his current global domination, Noah Kahan’s trajectory is a testament to the power of honest, vulnerable folk-pop. His collaborations have not just been marketing stunts; they have been artistic choices that have enriched his songs and diversified his sound, ensuring his place as one of the most important singer-songwriters of his generation. The forthcoming album, whether it’s called *The Great Divide* or something else entirely, is already one of the most anticipated releases in music.
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