Janet Devlin Set To Release Fearless Country-Rock Album ‘Emotional Rodeo’ Via OKGoodRecordsJanet Devlin - ‘Emotional Rodeo’“Devlin has managed to breathe new life into the tradition of Irish music.” - Hot Press “The Irish Queen of quirky folk-pop” - 1883 “Devlin’s lyrics are clever and relatable” - The Upcoming “Enchanting vocals” - Sunday MirrorOFFICIAL PRESS RELEASENEWS PROVIDED BY Fifth Element PR After soaring to No. 4 on the iTunes Country Charts earlier this year, the incomparable Northern Irish songstress Janet Devlin is poised to release her courageous country-rock album, ‘Emotional Rodeo’, via OkGood Records. Recorded at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Devlin captures the heartfelt essence of country-rock with an authentic edge, blending sharp, witty lyrics with themes of fearless self-empowerment. Co-written alongside Ben Earle of The Shires and Kaity Rae (GIRLI, Beth McCarthy), the album’s title track generated high anticipation for what is to come. Powerfully merging Devlin’s Irish charm with pure rock elements, ‘Emotional Rodeo’ draws influence from the fiery energy of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Americana legend Chris Stapleton. It captures the essence of loving fearlessly, despite the challenges that come with Borderline Personality Disorder and bipolar disorder. The track made a significant mark on the charts, reaching No. 15 on the UK iTunes Charts, No. 4 on the iTunes Country Charts, and No. 31 on the Big Top 40. This success sparked national radio play on Capital and Heart, grabbing the attention of notable publications such as The Sun, The Irish Post, The Irish News, and METAL Magazine. Hailing from this explosive response, Devlin returned with the album’s show-stopping sophomore single ‘Country Singer’. The song chronicles Devlin’s evolution from seeking male approval to embracing her full, unapologetic self, inspired by a whirlwind romance with a washed-up country star. Forging a bold statement, Devlin lays bare the absurdities of dating egotistical partners and the pitfalls of suppressing her true identity. With its blend of classic country influences, Devlin captures the authentic, rootsy sound crafted in Nashville in collaboration with Grammy-award-winning producer Vance Powell. Reflecting on the release, Devlin shares, “Stepping into and owning my womanhood meant stepping into self-belief. Not just a surface-level “I love myself” Instagram post. It meant dissecting every aspect of my life and identifying where my actions weren’t marrying with my words. In my work, I was a confident, self-assured, and empowered woman. But why was I still insecurely hanging on to male validation in my personal life? Needless to say, not anymore! I no longer slice myself into more digestible, palatable pieces for their consumption.” Devlin’s upcoming third single, ‘Daddy’, set to release on August 16th, humorously portrays a ‘sugar daddy’ relationship with cleverly reversed gender roles. Continuing to draw from the nostalgic soundscapes of Nashville, this soon-to-be hit underscores Devlin’s commitment to challenging societal expectations and empowering listeners. The remainder of ‘Emotional Rodeo’ features a blend of up-tempo tracks, heartfelt piano ballads, and earthy acoustic hits. From the dark ‘Plastic Pistol’ to the raw, stripped-back ‘Burden’, the album showcases the singer-songwriter’s melodic sensibilities, modern interpretation of classic sounds, and newfound rock’n’roll attitude. Throughout, ‘Emotional Rodeo’ is a testament to Devlin’s devotion to country music and its prominent role in her musical upbringing. Reminiscing on her personal connection to the genre, Devlin shared: “Country music has always been a huge part of my life. It was a genre that everyone in my house agreed to listen to. I have distinct memories of driving to show-jumping competitions with my father, playing a mix tape my brother made of some of our shared favourites. Always wearing my cowboy boots to the yard until it was time to saddle up. Since I started music, I always said that after 24 I’d jump into the country music scene. It’s an odd thing to have planned out but I always knew I wanted to. For me I love the story telling. I love that there’s almost always a clever quip in there. Mostly, I love that it doesn’t always take itself too seriously. You can stick on a country radio station and cry, laugh and sing a long.” The album marks an artistic milestone, personally and musically embracing Devlin’s full identity. Influenced by the unapologetic attitude of Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and Cardi B, ‘Emotional Rodeo’ embodies the ownership of womanhood, engineered in a clever, quick-witted manner. From sharing her candid sense of humour to exploring her unfiltered personality and flaws, Devlin has nothing to prove. Each track delves into a wide range of emotions, navigating the complexities of mental health and dismissing the idea of perfection. Poised to be Devlin’s most relatable body of work, this musical voyage of self-discovery is set to make listeners laugh, cry and feel empowered to be their true selves in equal measure. Describing her modern take on country traditions, Devlin shared: “My writing used to be very self indulgent and I don’t regret it for a second. I had to write those songs to end up in the place I am now. In the past I would have buried everything in heavy metaphors and colorful phrases whereas now I’m just out and out saying it.I know I’m not the only person whosoever been ghosted, been a bit of a catfish with their looks or been a psychotic emotional rodeo to be in a relationship with. So even though its country music, I’m not singing songs about a truck or my wife leaving me. (Even though I listen to it and enjoy it). I wanted to make contemporary country in the old timey way. Write songs for the folks in the era we’re living in. With online dating, Ghosting and social media. I want the girlies to feel ownership of their womanhood in a society that tells us we lose value for every year that passes. For the guys who are fed up with being the breadwinner and just want to be looked after. But all in a fun way. I mean, I’m Irish so I can’t take myself too seriously. It’s in my bones.” Born and raised in Gortin, County Tyrone, Devlin’s musical journey took off after she secured fifth place on The X Factor in 2011. Earning widespread acclaim, her debut album, ‘Running With Scissors’, reached #1 on the Indie Breakers Chart and entered the Top 50 of the Official UK Charts. Enchanting fans worldwide, her cover of The Cure’s ‘Friday I’m In Love’ has garnered nearly 20 million plays on Spotify alone. Devlin’s second album ‘Confessional’ was a brave, ambitious project released alongside her autobiography ‘My Confessional’. Together, they offer an intimate insight into a decade of the singer-songwriter’s life; uncovering the years leading up to her appearance on The X Factor to the present day. Reflecting on the mental health issues she has faced, it provided hope and support for those experiencing similar issues. The release culminated in a headline UK tour in 2022 and the album hit the Billboard Top 100 in America. In addition to her live shows, Janet regularly performs a selection of covers and original songs online via Lounges.tv, connecting further with her global audience. In 2023, amidst the whirlwind of touring alongside Russell Crowe and his band across Australia and Europe, Devlin travelled to the prestigious Blackbird Studio in Nashville to begin ‘Emotional Rodeo’. This was a real “pinch me” moment for the artist. She explains: “There were two main types of music I listened to as a youngster: country and rock. When those two worlds collide, I’m as giddy as a schoolgirl. Recording in Nashville was everything I thought it would be!” Anticipation dances in the air as it’s slated for release in November, and already her fans are enthusiastic to hear more. This brilliantly showcases her versatility as an artist, seamlessly transitioning from her folk-pop roots to the heartfelt narratives of country music. Fans can also catch Devlin as a special guest at Russell Crowe’s London show on July 24th at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire. In addition to her musical endeavors, Devlin’s compelling journey was captured in the 2022 BBC documentary ‘Janet Devlin: Young, Female, and Addicted’. The programme explored her own story of alcoholism and its effects on her life and on others around her, while exploring the stories of other young women suffering from the consequences of alcohol addiction in Northern Ireland. Despite a musical hiatus since her ‘It’s Not That Deep’ EP in 2021, she has remained deeply connected to her loyal fanbase, boasting over a million followers across TikTok and Instagram. She continues to captivate audiences with her characterful wit and charm, including a recent humorous reel that went viral and garnered 13 million views. Janet Devlin has found a foothold in the music industry, standing out amongst the crowd with her soul-stirring vocal prowess and introspective lyricism. Originally formed by a fusion of tender folk, indie, and quirky pop, she has crafted a discography that profoundly resonates with listeners. With the self-confessional ‘Emotional Rodeo’, the singer-songwriter has emerged as a distinct new voice in the country world, using her personal experiences and realizations to deliver an honest, authentic collection of songs.
Source Fifth Element PR
November 22, 2024 10:35am ET by Fifth Element PR |