Noah Kahan Jokes About Pressure to Follow Up Hit Album 'Stick Season': 'If It Stinks, It Stinks' (Exclusive)

"I just want to wait and feel very excited about whatever's next in terms of an album," Kahan tells PEOPLE at the 2023 TIME100 Next Gala

With a hit album and massive upcoming tour, Noah Kahan is at the top of his game.

Since his third album Stick Season came out over a year ago, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter has scored his first charting singles, earned an Olivia Rodrigo cosign and collaborated with Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves. At this point, his momentum seems unstoppable.

"It keeps getting more crazy as more time goes by, and I'm very, very excited that people still care," Kahan tells PEOPLE at the 2023 TIME100 Next Gala at Second in New York City on Wednesday. "To be a year out and have people still enjoying it, excited about it and giving a s--- about me, it's pretty fun, and I'm just grateful."

Related: Noah Kahan Announces His First-Ever North American Stadium and Arena Tour

The "Dial Drunk" musician has toured extensively since the album's release, and he'll continue performing around the world through at least summer 2024 on the We'll All Be Here Forever Tour. With each concert, he's become more connected to one particular line from the song "Homesick."

"I love singing, 'I would leave if only I could find a reason,' because it just fits everything I'm doing," says Kahan. "I would stop touring. I should stop touring. I'm tired, but I can't. There's no real reason to stop these things, and I feel like I'm just being carried on this wave."

He's currently working on new material and has even teased some unreleased songs during live performances, but fans should hold tight before expecting another full-length project.

"I just want to wait and feel very excited about whatever's next in terms of an album because before Stick Season, I felt like I was just putting music out just to put it out," says Kahan. "When I made Stick Season, I had such a strong focus, and I want to make sure I find that again."

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From four top-10 singles on the Billboard rock chart to sold-out concerts around the world, the musician is aware it's not going to be easy to follow up Stick Season with his next body of work.

"I definitely feel a lot of pressure," admits Kahan. "Every time I make a song, I'm like, 'The next one's going to suck,' and I think I just need to keep trying. I don't know. Maybe if it stinks, it stinks, but what I'm happy about is I've gotten myself in front of a lot of people, and I've lived out some dreams. If this is the last time I get a chance to do it, then I'll be happy to have had the chance at all."

Related: Olivia Rodrigo Sings Powerful Cover of Noah Kahan's Hit Folk Song 'Stick Season'

While awaiting his fourth album, however, he says fans can expect "lots of new music, collaborations and all sorts of fun s---" in the meantime.

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