Janet Devlin Releases New Single ‘Country Singer’ From Upcoming Album

June 28, 2024

Janet Devlin Releases New Single ‘Country Singer’ From Upcoming Album ‘Emotional Rodeo’

After riding high in the iTunes Country Charts at No. 4 earlier this year, incomparable Northern Irish songstress Janet Devlin is back with new single, ‘Country Singer’, a bold statement against compromising one’s true self for the sake of others. This latest single, set to release on the 28th of June via OK!Good Records, is a taste of what’s to come from her forthcoming album, ‘Emotional Rodeo’.

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‘Country Singer’ is a fearless declaration of self-empowerment and rejects superficial validations. 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, Devlin lays bare the absurdities of dating egotistical partners and the pitfalls of suppressing her true identity. With a blend of classic country influences and her unique Irish flair, the song captures the authentic, rootsy sound crafted in Nashville and polished by Grammy-award-winning producer Vance Powell.

“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. Gone are the days of pleading and begging for a man’s love.

I was doing everything I could to be a “chill girl.” The chill girl: who doesn’t care if you change plans at the last minute. Who doesn’t complain when you forget her birthday. Who won’t get annoyed when you don’t respond to her texts. The chill girl is dead. Her replacement is a woman who wants her efforts, time, and love appreciated. Anything less isn’t worth labouring over.” – Janet Devlin

‘Country Singer’ is the second single from Devlin’s forthcoming album, ‘Emotional Rodeo’, set for release later this year. The first single, the album’s title track, is a powerful blend of Janet’s Irish charm and the raw vigour of country rock, co-written with Ben Earle of The Shires and Kaity Rae (GIRLI, Beth McCarthy).

Drawing from diverse influences like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers with the soul-stirring melodies of country legends like Chris Stapleton, ‘Emotional Rodeo’ captures the essence of loving fiercely and fearlessly despite the challenges that come with Borderline Personality Disorder and bipolar disorder. The track made an impressive impact on the charts, reaching #15 on the UK iTunes Charts, #4 on the iTunes Country Charts, and #31 on the Big Top 40. This success sparked national radio play on Capital and Heart and caught the attention of notable publications such as The Sun, The Irish Post, The Irish News, and METAL Magazine.

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 recording her new album, ‘Emotional Rodeo’. This was a real “pinch me” moment for the artist.

“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! Following on from the first single of my last album, I was set on creating a song that was an utter wall of sound for my next release. I think I’ve achieved it, and I’m so excited for people to hear the rest of the album!” – Janet Devlin

Anticipation dances in the air as it’s slated for release within the year, 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 Dublin show on July 1st at the Gaiety Theatre.

Since her early beginnings as a standout performer on the UK X Factor at the age of 16, Devlin has gone on to do so much more. Her debut album, ‘Running With Scissors’, heralded a defining moment, wherein she sculpted her singular artistic identity with finesse. Her most recent album, ‘Confessional’, served as a deeply personal narrative as she poured her heart out, transforming her struggles into a captivating folk-pop odyssey that resonated with audiences worldwide. Accompanied by her book ‘My Confessional’, this multifaceted project offered an intimate glimpse into her world.

In addition to her musical endeavours, 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 unique blend of wit and charm, fostering meaningful engagement with her dedicated supporters.