paper stars by noah
Singer-songwriter noah crafts emotionally resonant, pop-infused music with an emphasis on lyrical depth and human connection. In “paper stars,” they offer a glimmer of hope in the midst of emotional darkness—a sonic lifeline for anyone struggling to hold on. With rich vocal layering, poetic imagery, and a touch of existential philosophy, the track stands as a quiet anthem of care and solidarity.
Vocally, noah has a tone similar to Brandi Carlile. However, the surrounding instrumentation and genre lean more pop than country. The track features abundantly layered vocals and harmonies enhanced by a myriad of effects and processing, typical of modern pop. The vocal production is akin to FINNEAS’s work with Billie Eilish.
Instrumentally, noah’s work is not dominated by digital synthesis, unlike a vast majority of today’s pop. It retains organic music-making elements, such as prominent piano in the beginning and guitar throughout. Think “Before it Breaks” or “Party of One” by Brandi Carlile—songs that start with solo piano and vocals, and then gradually incorporate instruments like electric guitar, soft drums, and orchestral elements for emotional depth. “paper stars” has a similar build, but it also incorporates pop “in-the-box” techniques like cinematic swells to create additional atmosphere.
Another key element of noah’s style is the a cappella influence present in the arrangement of the vocals. Beyond harmonizing with the lead line, the voice is treated as an instrument by using hums and “oo”s in chords. This approach to arranging mixed with the piano, guitar, and affecting lyrics is similar to dodie, a singer-songwriter known for her a cappella covers, original compositions, and acclaimed studio releases.
Lyrically, it is clear that noah has an appreciation for poetry given their inventive rhyme schemes and sensitivity to aligning the syllabic stress with the music’s pulse. This honed skill is evidence of being a prolific writer. For example, one rhyme I found interesting was pairing “afternoon” and “new.” Both have a similar vowel sound, but different consonant ending sounds, so it’s unexpected but effective and catchy. Another lyrical standout is in the imagery, such as the line “kiss in the dark and fantasize a future” — I mean, how dreamy is that? It complements the song’s other lyrical motifs, too. For listeners who focus on the lyrics and appreciate the poeticism of songs, noah’s lyrics would hold fascination and keep your ears open.
Overall, the song centers around supporting a loved one who is at rock bottom. For the academically or philosophically inclined, there’s threads of existential nihilism in lines like “I know you’re finding it hard to find a purpose” and “What and why and how am I supposed to live like this?” You could even argue it touches on Plato’s Symposium: “You are exactly what I’ve been looking for—don’t leave me now” echoes Aristophanes’ idea that lovers are searching for their other half, while lines like “we’ll make it out alive” and “live a little longer” reflect Diotima’s tenet in Ascent to Love—the nurturing of another person’s growth and potential.
With “paper stars,” noah demonstrates that pop music can be more than superficial materialism, delivering a song that is emotionally raw and philosophically rich. It’s a track that not only sounds beautiful but also resonates deeply. Whether you're drawn in by the layered production, the poetic lyricism, or the existential undercurrents, there's something in this song that asks to be felt, considered, and replayed. For anyone who’s ever tried to hold space for someone else’s pain—or needed someone to hold space for theirs—“paper stars” offers a quiet, luminous kind of solidarity.