Kristen Noel, a rising singer-songwriter renowned for her Americana and folk music style, has recently launched her new EP, “The Afterburn.” The EP presents a collection of heartfelt songs reflecting her deep emotional journey. Born in Laguna Beach, CA, and currently residing in Idyllwild, CA, Kristen has been using music as a cathartic outlet to express her emotions and connect with her audience through themes of forgiveness, love, and empathy.
From a young age, music has been a central part of Kristen’s life, beginning with her family’s diverse musical tastes ranging from Kenny Rogers to John Denver. Her musical career took a more serious turn in her 30s when she started playing guitar and writing songs. Kristen describes her entry into songwriting as “cathartic,” a process that not only helped her but also provided a medium to share her emotions with others.
With influences from icons like Brandi Carlile, Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge, and Miranda Lambert, Kristen’s songs are infused with honesty and vulnerability, designed to inspire and resonate with listeners. Her journey in music is paralleled by her dedication to teaching, as she has over 25 years of experience working with children with special needs.
Released on April 12, 2024, Kristen Noel’s ‘The Afterburn’ features four tracks and spans about 16 minutes. The EP kicks off with ‘Road Going Nowhere,’ a beautifully crafted song that mixes twangy guitars with Kristen’s distinctive cadence, quickly winning over fans and showcasing her sharp songwriting skills. The sound quality of the EP is exceptional, with top-notch mixing and mastering that brings each track vividly to life. The rest of the EP maintains this high standard, concluding with ‘Love Was Real,’ a delicate track that combines subtle keys and beautiful strings with deeply resonant lyrics about love, heartbreak, and loss— wrapping up the collection perfectly.
Kristen’s catalog also includes her debut album “Many Rooms” released in 2012, the EP “Soar” in 2019, and the single “Saving Grace” in 2022, each adding layers to her evolving personal narrative in music. Speaking about her music, Kristen hopes that her listeners find a piece of themselves in her songs. “Music helps us all connect and I love the connections and feelings certain songs bring up,” she shares.
Kristen is gearing up for a busy few months ahead, with several album launches planned across Southern California. Her excitement and commitment to her music shine through as she talks about the entire creative process. From the initial spark of a song idea to the excitement of sharing new work on release day, Kristen’s passion for her craft is unmistakably genuine and deeply felt.
Kristen Noel invites her listeners to experience the vulnerability and beauty of her music on popular platforms such as Spotify, watch her performances on YouTube, and follow her updates on Instagram and Facebook.
As Kristen continues to balance her dual passions for music and education, she remains a steadfast figure in both her musical and local communities, promising more emotive and inspiring projects in the future. With each release, she reveals more of her immense potential, and we’re genuinely excited to see what comes next from this talented artist.
