If you haven’t been subjected to a four-hour car ride featuring acoustic guitars and lyrics about Vermont, here’s the scoop: Noah Kahan (pronounced "Kahn") is a singer-songwriter who exploded into the mainstream around 2023 and has only become more of a cultural staple since. He’s often called the "folk-pop" savior for Gen Z and Alpha.

His music, particularly the massive Stick Season, resonates because it’s hyper-specific to the feeling of being "stuck"—whether that’s in a small town, in a phase of life, or in your own head. In a digital world that often feels like "Ohio" (weird/cringe) or full of TikTok brain rot, Noah Kahan offers something that feels authentic and grounded.

You might hear your kid call themselves a "Busyhead." This isn’t a new slang term for being distracted; it’s the name of Noah’s first album and his mental health initiative, the Busyhead Project.

For teens in 2026, "Busyhead" is a badge of honor. It means they acknowledge they have a "busy" brain—anxiety, overthinking, or depression—and they aren’t ashamed of it. Noah has done for mental health what Stardew Valley did for gaming: he made it okay to be quiet, introspective, and a little bit sad while still finding beauty in the mundane.

Noah’s music is beautiful, but it’s not "Kids Bop." If you’re intentional about what enters your kid’s ears, here’s the breakdown of what you’ll actually hear:

Noah talks about therapy more than most people talk about the weather. He mentions specific medications (like Zoloft), the struggle of finding a therapist, and the weight of depression. For most parents, this is a win. It’s a bridge to talk about how they’re doing without it feeling like a clinical interrogation.

Many of his songs, like "Orange Juice" or "Dial Drunk," deal with the reality of small-town drinking culture and sobriety. He doesn’t glamorize it; in fact, he often highlights the pain and broken relationships that come with it. It’s heavy, but it’s honest.

Expect the "Parental Advisory" sticker. He uses the F-word and other profanities fairly regularly. It’s usually used for emotional emphasis rather than being "edgy" for the sake of it, but if you have a strict "no swearing" rule in the car, you’ll be hitting the skip button often.

Noah Kahan’s discography is basically a giant "How To" guide for talking to your teen. Instead of asking "How was school?" (which we all know gets a one-word answer), try using the music as a springboard:

Ask our chatbot for more conversation starters about music

They might love the catchy melodies of "Stick Season" or "Dial Drunk" because they’re trending on YouTube. This is a good time to explain that some of the lyrics are about "grown-up problems" like addiction, but the overall vibe is safe. Maybe steer them toward his cleaner tracks first.

This is his target demographic. They’re old enough to get the nuances of his lyrics. At this age, the music can actually be a "wellness tool." It’s much better for them to be listening to Noah Kahan than falling down a rabbit hole of toxic "alpha" influencers or high-stimulus brain rot content.

If your kid is a superfan, they’re probably looking for more than just the songs. Here are some Screenwise-approved recommendations that fit the Noah Kahan "vibe":

Noah Kahan is a "Green Light" artist for most families. Yes, he swears. Yes, he talks about beer and antidepressants. But he does so with a level of humanity and vulnerability that is rare in the 2026 digital landscape.

He isn't trying to sell your kid a "get rich quick" scheme or a body-image complex. He’s just a guy from Vermont singing about how hard it is to be a person sometimes. In a world of Roblox microtransactions and AI-generated noise, a guy with a guitar and a therapist is a breath of fresh air.

Learn more about navigating teen mental health in the digital age Ask our chatbot about other popular artists your teen might like