Album Review: Dermot Kennedy Finds His Roots in the Wild with 'The Weight Of The Woods'
- 11 hours ago
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On the path to his third full-length offering, The Weight of the Woods, 21st-century troubadour Dermot Kennedy emerges enlightened and empowered by his whirlwind journey. This latest body of work draws deep inspiration, energy, and strength from his native Ireland, grounding his global success in the soil that raised him. Kennedy found a kindred spirit in producer Gabe Simon (known for his work with Noah Kahan and Lana Del Rey), sparking an uncanny collaborative energy that saw musical ideas overflowing via late-night text chats long after the studio lights dimmed.
The result is an album that feels both massive and intimate. Let’s walk through the woods, track by track:
1. The Weight of the Woods (Reprise)
The album opens with a literal shiver. It’s a beautiful, atmospheric intro that builds a sense of mounting anticipation. It captures a feeling that is hard to put into words—a spiritual threshold that sets the perfect tone for the journey ahead. Goosebumps: activated.
2. Honest
Prepare your vocal cords. This is a powerful, epic "foot-stomper" designed for sold-out arenas. It manages to be a communal anthem while remaining gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking. You can already hear the crowd screaming every word back at him.
3. Refuge
Dermot’s vocals here are simply incredible. Reminiscent of the Sonder era, it’s a soaring showcase of his range. When the bridge hits, you can almost see him pointing the mic at the audience and shouting, “SING IT!”
4. Funeral
Our first taste of the album during its announcement, Funeral is perhaps the most Sonder-adjacent track. However, the DNA of the song sees Kennedy returning to his singer-songwriter roots, blending his modern pop sensibilities with his busker beginnings.
5. Endless
The intimacy here is staggering. Within the first three seconds, you hear his intake of breath a detail that sends chills down the spine. It stays very true to the raw power of a live performance, anchored by lyrics that hit like a physical weight.
6. Sycamore
A steady, solid anchor for the mid-section of the album. It doesn’t need bells and whistles; the lyrics do the heavy lifting here, proving once again that Kennedy is a poet first.
7. Often, Lately
A moment of exhale. It’s a calming, deceptively simple track that builds into a fantastic, earworm chorus. It’s the kind of song that feels like a warm blanket on a cold Dublin night.
8. Turnstile
This is uncharted territory. Dermot leans into a new sonic experiment, moving away from his usual tropes toward something fresh and remarkably hopeful. It’s a risk that pays off, showing a growth in his artistry.
9. Wasted
Channeling a 90s indie-pop vibe, this is pure fun. It’s a stylistic pivot that adds a much-needed splash of color and movement to the album’s texture.
10. Blue Eyes
A fan-favorite before it even dropped. The transition between his high and low registers is a technical masterpiece. Just when you think you know his sound, he surprises you with the vocal agility displayed here.
11. Trepidation
This is a love letter, but written in that distinct, weathered "DK style." It’s vulnerable and gritty, capturing the anxiety and beauty of devotion all at once.
12. The Only Times I Pray
If you need proof that Dermot is one of the best lyricists of his generation, look no further. This track is a masterclass in songwriting, turning personal reflection into universal truth.
13. Happiness
Perfection. This is a stunningly gentle, subtle work of art. It’s a total tearjerker that serves as a quiet testament to his raw talent. No production tricks, just pure emotion.
14. The Weight of the Woods
The title track brings us home. Recorded with live elements, it sounds as though you are sitting in the pews of a hollowed-out church, listening to him pour his soul out. The natural reverb and "hum" of the room make it a flawless conclusion.
I might be biased, but Dermot is back, and he has never sounded more at home. The Weight of the Woods is a triumphant return to form.
The Weight Of The Wood is out April 3rd via Interscope Records, you can pre-oder it here.
Catch Dermot Kennedy on tour this summer:
29/05 Glasgow OVO Hydro
30/05 Manchester AO Arena
01/06 Cardiff Utilita Arena
02/06 Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
04/06 Birmingham Utilita Arena
05/06 London O2 Arena
Words by Sal F.
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