DERMOT KENNEDY
The Weight Of The Woods (Island)
Dermot Kennedy’s third studio album, following the success of 2023’s Sonder and 2019’s Without Fear, feels like a seamless, contemplative continuation of that earlier work, but with a deeper sensitivity to heartbreak and a stronger emphasis on resilience. The result is a vulnerable, life-affirming collection of pop ballads from the County Dublin singer-songwriter, with more stripped-back tracks which centre on and amplify the raw emotion in his vocals.
With a mellow, melancholic undercurrent running throughout the album, and his distinctly raspy, gravelly vocals and poetic melodies present and correct, high-energy tracks like Wasted and Funeral feel anthemic and empowering, breaking through the lingering sadness and reminiscent of Power Over Me – a 2018 single which served as Kennedy’s breakthrough song. While it doesn’t necessarily present a new sound, The Weight Of The Woods further refines Kennedy’s ability to craft soul-stirring, cathartic music that will resonate deeply with fans.
words MEGAN PHILIP
