Noah Kahan’s SNL moments might have outshone the entire episode

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This season of Saturday Night Live in the US has been uneven – some episodes are great, others not so much. The musical performers, including Jack White and Noah Kahan, have consistently been strong, but the comedy itself has been just okay. Ashley Padilla is a definite standout, though, and the musical guests on the UK version of Saturday Night Live have also been consistently impressive.

The issue with the May 9th episode wasn’t Matt Damon’s hosting – he did a good job. The problem is the show currently relies too much on a few established cast members. It feels like SNL is still searching for its footing and trying to reinvent itself, hoping things will improve. But that’s not the way a show should operate – it needs to be solid now, not just promise a better future.

The success of the episode often hinged on whether the performance was strong or weak, with very few middle-ground outcomes. The exception was Noah Kahan, who delivered two outstanding songs from his new album, The Great Divide.

Noah Kahan turns terrific on Saturday Night Live

“The Great Divide”

If you weren’t familiar with Noah Kahan, you might mistake his music for a Mumford and Sons song. Both artists share a similar sound and are both excellent, but Kahan, despite being from Vermont, has a slightly more country-tinged voice. Plus, his music leans a little more towards rock than traditional folk.

What makes Zach Bryan’s song “The Great Divide” so captivating is its sad, beautiful melody and relatable lyrics. That’s Kahan’s special talent – he’s not only skilled at composing music, but his lyrics are so powerful they resonate deeply. He’s truly one of the best songwriters out there.

Throughout his four albums, he’s consistently delivered, and he’ll probably keep doing so unless he decides to try something new. Even if he does experiment, he’s likely to succeed. This song definitely fits the style that artists like Kahan and Mumford & Sons have become known for, and when it hits, it really hits hard.

“Doors”

The song starts with a rocky feel, though it doesn’t stay that way for long. Kahan’s voice has a slightly country twang here, more so than in his song “The Great Divide,” but the overall music doesn’t lean country.

A song exploring the difficulty of emotional intimacy uses instruments like the violin and mandolin. It’s about how past childhood trauma can make it hard to truly connect with a partner, keeping emotional doors closed.

Even if you don’t fully understand the meaning behind Noah Kahan’s songs, you might still find yourself wanting to sing along – or maybe because you do understand them. His music has a way of encouraging us to be more open and honest with ourselves and others.

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2026-05-10 22:00