Saturday Night Live, the United States edition, has been hit-and-miss in its 51st season. The musical guests, such as Jack White and, most recently, Noah Kahan, have been quite good, but the rest? Meh. Except for Ashley Padilla, she's a star. Just like most of the musical guests on this season of Saturday Night Live UK.
The problem with the May 9 show wasn't even the host, Matt Damon. He was fine, but the current cast is top-heavy. It feels as if SNL is in a huge transition, trying to figure out what works now in hopes that the future is better. That's not how it should work.
That led to the episode being good or bad with little in between, except for Noah Kahan, of course. He performed two songs, and both, from his recently released album, The Great Divide, were excellent.
Noah Kahan turns terrific on Saturday Night Live
"The Great Divide"
If you didn't see Kahan singing, you might think you were listening to a Mumford and Sons tune. The difference is that while both acts sound similar, and both are great, Kahan, even though he is from Vermont, has a bit more twang to his vocals. He is also a bit more rock than traditional.
"The Great Divide" itself features a melancholy melody with words that will hit home. That's the magic of Kahan. He isn't just fantastic at structuring a tune, but he could simply read his lyrics, and one would swoon. He's an elite songwriter.
He's proved as much over four albums, and will likely continue to do so until he decides to change his sound to experiment. Even then, he might not go wrong. Is this tune a bit more what one has come to expect from the subgenre that Kahan and Mumford have carved out? Sure, but when it works, it works tremendously.
"Doors"
The first notes imply the track is going to be a lot more rock than the previous one, but if you weren't hoping for that, no worries. The tune quickly changes. Kahan's vocals sound a bit more country in this song than in "The Great Divide," but the music isn't.
A violin and mandolin are among those instruments helping create a tune about not being able to open up to one's partner. The doors, you see, don't open easily. The trauma of childhood weighs too heavily to allow a full human connection.
Still, one might find oneself wanting to sing along to the brilliant lyrics even without knowing the true meaning. Or, perhaps, because of knowing it. Noah Kahan's music, after all, helps us all open up a bit more than we might otherwise.
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