Noah Kahan ‘Northern Attitude (Ft. Hozier)’ Review
by Madison Avery
Folk-Pop star Noah Kahan started as a massive fan of Hozier, then performed at each other’s shows, and now have a song together. Hozier is featured on Kahan’s song ‘Northern Attitude’, which was originally released on his album Stick Season. He has posted several times on social media how much he loves Hozier and how much it means to have him featured on one of his songs. “If you know me at all you know this collaboration is something very deeply special and important to me. I used to sit down at the table with my guitar and just try to capture a fraction of the emotion and beauty that Hozier encapsulates in each song he writes. It never quite worked, but each song was better for trying. To have one of my heroes performing this song with me is something I’ll tell my grandkids, or at least my next dog.”, Kahan had taken to Instagram to share about the song on the day of the release.
Born and raised in Strafford, Vermont, Kahan is a true New Englander. In ‘Northern Attitude’ he reminisces on a past love, running into them again, and realizing he still has feelings for them. “Breathin’ in, breathin’ out / how you been? Settle down? / You feelin’ right?, Feelin’ proud / How are your kids?, where are they now?”, he sings of the awkward conversation of running into someone you used to love.
“If I get too close and I’m not who you hoped / Forgive my northern attitude / Oh, I was raised out in the cold / If the sun don’t shine until the summertime / Forgive my northern attitude / Oh, I was raised on little light”, people in New England tend to have a “cold” demeanor because the winters are tough, Kahan is asking for someone to forgive his cold behavior and it will be better in the summer.
Coming in for the second verse Hozier whips out his angelic vocals. Kahan joins in seamlessly for the pre chorus and the two of them belt out the rest of the song full of passion. Their voices blend together so beautifully and sound so silky smooth. Hozier and Noah Kahan together sound warm and welcoming like thawing your hands out on a fresh cup of hot chocolate after being out in the cold and it is oh so satisfying.
With fall coming to an end and winter around the corner, ‘Northern Attitude’ hits different as it is also “stick season” in New England. What better way to prepare for the cold weather than listening to Noah Kahan’s album Stick Season.
Photograph by Tyler Krippaehne
