I Was / I Am

I Was / I Am
Studio album by
Noah Kahan
ReleasedSeptember 17, 2021 (2021-09-17)
Length36:49
Label
Producer
Noah Kahan chronology
Cape Elizabeth
(2020) 		I Was / I Am
(2021) 		Stick Season
(2022)
Singles from I Was / I Am
  1. "Godlight"
    Released: June 30, 2021
  2. "Animal"
    Released: August 6, 2021
  3. "Someone Like You"
    Released: September 16, 2021

I Was / I Am is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, released on September 17, 2021.[1] The album was released through Republic Records and UMG Recordings, Inc.[2] Three singles "Godlight", "Animal", and "Someone Like You (featuring Joy Oladokun)" were released prior to the album's release.[3]

Background

Kahan states this album was created with the idea of "who I am as compared to who I was" in mind.[4] The album was released more than a year after Kahan's EP Cape Elizabeth, and demonstrates Kahan's ideas of personal growth and reflection, and was developed during the COVID-19 Pandemic.[5] Kahan developed this album after he returned to Los Angeles in late 2020.[6]

Kahan started developing the album with producers Joel Little and Mark Rankin over Zoom meetings.[5] Kahan was able to write about his mental health issues, breaking some of the stigma's surrounding mental illness, connecting with many listeners and helping them feel less alone.[7]

Kahan embarked on the 'I Was / I Am Tour' spanning from October 14, 2021 in St. Louis until 19 December 2021 in Phoenix.[8]

Reception

After the album was released, I Was / I Am was described as a "powerfully and unapologetically honest personal statement" by Mitch Mosk of Atwood Magazine and many of the songs "took on a life of their own".[9]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Noah Kahan, with additional writers appearing on tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Part of Me"
3:59
2."Animal"
  • Kahan
  • Ryan Keen
3:39
3."Caves"
3:21
4."Bad Luck"
3:11
5."Godlight"
  • Kahan
4:07
6."Someone Like You" (featuring Joy Oladokun)
3:06
7."Fear of Water"
2:51
8."Hollow"
4:32
9."Bury Me"
3:14
10."Howling"
  • Kahan
4:45
Total length:36:49

Personnel

Musicians

  • Noah Kahan - lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano
  • Joel Little - backing vocals, acoustic guitar, bass, drum programming, electric guitar, keyboard, percussion, sythesizer
  • Mark Rankin - backing vocals, drum programming, keyboard, synthesizer
  • Sarah Aarons - backing vocals, piano
  • James Bush - cello
  • Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper - violin
  • Joel Harrower - viola
  • Peau Halapua - Violin
  • Joy Oladokun - featuring artist (track 6)

Technical

  • Joel Little - production, engineering (all tracks)
  • Mark Rankin - production, engineering, mixing (all tracks excluding track 7)
  • Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk - production (track 8)
  • Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper - engineering
  • Hunter Airheart - video directing

References

  1. ^ Wilson, Kieran (2021-09-27). "Noah Kahan Returns with Thoughtful Album 'I Was / I Am'". The Heights. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  2. ^ "I Was/I Am - Noah Kahan". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  3. ^ "Noah Kahan and Joy Oladokun perform 'Someone Like You'". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  4. ^ Paul, Larisha (2021-09-17). "Noah Kahan Shares Long Awaited Sophomore Album 'I Was / I Am'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  5. ^ a b Rawls, Murjani (2021-09-16). "Noah Kahan Has Done A Lot of Growing and Is Ready To Show the World How Much". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  6. ^ Gera, Makena (2023-08-31). "Meet Noah Kahan, the Voice of an Emotionally Evolved Generation". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  7. ^ HOWELL, MARIN. "Noah Kahan Connects With Fans on 'I Was/I Am' Tour in New York City". The Observer. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  8. ^ "Noah Kahan: I Was / I Am Tour". www.houseofblues.comeventdetail. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  9. ^ Mosk, Mitch (2021-09-17). "A Beautiful Inner Reckoning: Noah Kahan's Stirring 'I Was / I Am' Plunges into the Deepest Depths of Self". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-08.