New Music from Dermot Kennedy

I still recall back in 2016, starting a new daily train journey into Dublin City Centre. I dusted off an old Spotify account and needed some music to keep me going each morning.

Right away, as the train left the Leixlip Louisa Bridge, I stumbled upon this new and up-and-coming artist at the time, called ‘Dermot Kennedy’. I think he had around 2,000 followers on Spotify at the time. I still remember the single I discovered – it was ‘An Evening I Will Not Forget’. There were also two other singles on his Spotify page then: ‘After Rain’ and ‘Shelter’. For months, all three songs were on repeat on my daily commute playlist.

He has come a long way since then, but this album, especially tracks like ‘Endless’ and ‘Sycamore’, feels like it’s bringing him back to his roots. It definitely takes me back to those days when I could actually get a seat on the InterCity train!

The Weight of the Woods

On his new album, The Weight of the Woods, Dermot Kennedy finally feels like he’s breathing again. After a few years of living in the big, polished radio sound, he’s headed back to his roots in the best way possible. Produced alongside Gabe Simon, the album strips back the noise to highlight Kennedy’s signature grit and lyrical intensity. Recorded mostly at home in Ireland, and you can really hear that “rainy day by the fire” energy in the tracks. It’s less about the flashy production this time and more about his incredible voice and some really honest, down-to-earth storytelling.

Shadows and Dust

If you are a fan of Dermot Kennedy and want to explore more of his older music, you might enjoy his 2015 work with his band ‘Shadows and Dust’. You can still find it on most streaming platforms.