The Vermont-Core Phenomenon
Noah Kahan’s rise to 'folk-pop' royalty wasn't an accident. In an era of hyper-glossy digital production, Stick Season feels like a wool sweater in a world of polyester. The music video—and the song itself—captures a very specific New England transition: that bleak window between the autumn leaves falling and the first real snow. For a teenager, that's a perfect metaphor for the awkward transitions of adolescence.
Why it resonates
What makes this video worth your time isn't just the catchy chorus. It's the fact that Kahan is modeling a type of masculine vulnerability that we don't see enough of. He’s not posturing or acting like a tough guy; he’s just a guy in Vermont missing someone and feeling the weight of his hometown.
"I'll dream each night of some version of you that I might not have ever even known."
Lyrics like that are a gift for parents trying to help their kids navigate the complexities of social media-era relationships, where 'versions' of people are all we often see.
The YouTube Factor
Since this is a YouTube-hosted item, the 'safety' isn't about the video—which is basically just Noah and some scenic shots—it's about the platform. This is a great opportunity to use a 'safe' video to practice good YouTube habits. Check the sidebar, look at the related videos, and talk about how the algorithm tries to keep you clicking. But as far as the art goes? It’s a win. It’s soulful, it’s literate, and it’s a lot better than whatever 'Skibidi' nonsense might be vying for their attention.
