I Was / I Am
I Was / I Am is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, released on September 17, 2021. The album was released through Republic Records and UMG Recordings, Inc. Three singles "Godlight", "Animal", and "Someone Like You " were released prior to the album's release.
Background
Kahan states this album was created with the idea of "who I am as compared to who I was" in mind. The album was released more than a year after Kahan's EP Cape Elizabeth, and demonstrates Kahan's ideas of personal growth and reflection, and was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kahan developed this album after he returned to Los Angeles in late 2020.Kahan started developing the album with producers Joel Little and Mark Rankin over Zoom meetings. Kahan was able to write about his mental health issues, breaking some of the stigma's surrounding mental illness, connecting with many listeners and helping them feel less alone.
Kahan embarked on the 'I Was / I Am Tour' spanning from October 14, 2021, in St. Louis until 19 December 2021 in Phoenix.
Reception
After the album was released, I Was / I Am was described as a "powerfully and unapologetically honest personal statement" by Mitch Mosk of Atwood Magazine and many of the songs "took on a life of their own".Personnel
Musicians- Noah Kahan - lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano
- Joel Little - backing vocals, acoustic guitar, bass, drum programming, electric guitar, keyboard, percussion, synthesizer
- Mark Rankin - backing vocals, drum programming, keyboard, synthesizer
- Sarah Aarons - backing vocals, piano
- James Bush - cello
- Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper - violin
- Joel Harrower - viola
- Peau Halapua - Violin
- Joy Oladokun - featuring artist
- Joel Little - production, engineering
- Mark Rankin - production, engineering, mixing
- Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk - production
- Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper - engineering
- Hunter Airheart - video directing