Jackson Futrell on The Great Divide

Overall, I think this album was just okay. Nothing really blew my mind or made me want to sit with it for a while. Most of the songs were fine while they were on, but that’s about it. I didn’t feel particularly inspired or struck by anything. I think Noah’s lyrics are honest and relatable, and I can definitely appreciate that. But his instrumentation feels pretty typical. He takes some risks here and there, and there are a few moments where something catches my attention—either a musical idea or a lyric that sticks—but those moments are pretty rare. For the most part, it just feels like an upgraded version of a lot of other folk artists out there, at least to my ears. That’s not to say people shouldn’t enjoy it or that I’m not missing something he’s doing—I’m open to that. And I would like to return to the album, especially since he’s such a popular artist, just to form a more grounded opinion. But as a first impression, if it weren’t for that reason, I probably wouldn’t come back to this album anytime soon.