Prolific producer Aaron Dessner has paid tribute to Noah Kahan, citing the latter's ’End of August’ as his favourite ‘intro’ to an album that he's ever been a part of. Dessner, who has worked with chart-toppers such as Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Gracie Abrams, was a co-producer with Gabe Simon on Kahan's new album, The Great Divide.

When asked by the Switched On Pop podcast hosts about any introductions or opening songs that stand out from his extensive repertoire, Dessner pauses, before citing ’End of August’ as the best. ‘End of August’ opens The Great Divide, with Kahan crooning about seasonal transitions and the emotional turmoil that can accompany them across a haunting, atmospheric and piano-driven instrumental.

Dessner reflects, “As far as intros and the introduction to something, Noah Kahan...The Great Divide came out recently and we made a bunch of songs for it. ‘End of August’, which opens his record...I was kind of shocked when he told me it was the first song”.

Dessner goes on to admit that he was impressed by Kahan's courage in choosing such a seemingly experimental offering to launch his post-Stick Season era, “In general, it was different. It's like a new world, in a way, for him. He had written that kind of impressionistic piano that you hear at the beginning that he sings to, and I created this drone around him. And when we recorded it, it was August”.

Dessner concludes by underlining his admiration for the ’Northern Attitude’ hitmaker's willingness to colour outside the lines, “He took a risk, definitely, putting a long...‘out there’ song as the first thing that people would hear, so I really appreciated that”.

It's true that ‘End of August’ explores novel territory for Kahan, with the track finding him leaning into ethereal textures, while holding onto the inherently folk-inspired impetus behind his sound and continuing the seasonally-led themes of Stick Season.

It's the perfect song to kick off the Vermont native's latest chapter, with The Great Divide as a whole showcasing Kahan's status as modern folk's most influential innovator.

Dessner worked closely with Kahan throughout the creative process for The Great Divide, writing a number of tracks and producing gems such as ‘Porch Light’ and ‘Dan’. Especially given how many stellar artists Dessner has worked with over the years, the fact that he has pinpointed Kahan's ’End of August’ as his favourite introduction is a testament to the brilliant artistry that is on display across The Great Divide.