Nashville singer/songwriter Bre Kennedy leads with vulnerability on “Willow,” the newest glimpse into her most private and transformative album but – returning softer, stronger, and extra confident as she opens a robust new chapter.
Stream: “Willow” – Bre Kennedy
I’ve realized that if I’m telling the reality, even when it’s somewhat bizarre or messy, it’ll resonate. But when I attempt to sugarcoat it, it gained’t land.
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Bre Kennedy has all the time written from the center, however her upcoming album The Alchemist takes issues even deeper.
Trustworthy and unfiltered, the file appears like a private journal that traces the trail from heartbreak to therapeutic with all of the messy, significant moments in between.
Her new single, “Willow,” out now, units the tone. It’s a quiet reflection on what it means to interrupt down and rebuild. “I’m tender and resilient,” she sings, summing up the strain and steadiness on the core of the track. It’s a transparent glimpse of what to anticipate from her highly-anticipated fourth studio album, due January 30, 2026.
Some days, I really feel like a tree
Rising in me
Beginning to sweep the ground and
Some days, I really feel in between
Who I was
And who I’m nonetheless reaching for
When the solar goes down
On the finish of the day
Are you able to hear me say
“Who am I anyway”?
I’m the lady within the entrance seat
Placing on her face
Carrying the burden
Of yesterday
The venture was born from a season of collapse. In 2023, Kennedy ended a relationship that spanned most of her twenties, which left her emotionally gutted however finally led her again to herself.
“It was a foundational demolition,” she says. “I needed to stroll into the actually scary, darkish rooms of my life and never draw back.”
Slightly than draw back, Kennedy did what artists do finest: She documented it. Throughout 10 tracks, The Alchemist traces the real-time unfolding of grief, grace, and private and creative development. By means of all of it, her voice stays regular, even when trembling. These aren’t songs written after the mud had settled – they’re snapshots from contained in the storm.
For Kennedy, creating The Alchemist wasn’t simply creative; it was non secular. Impressed by writers like Glennon Doyle, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Rebecca Solnit – all of whom have written about dismantling identification – she started to see storytelling as a type of salvation.
“Their willingness to be courageous in public helped me discover the braveness to do the identical,” she says.
Similar to a willow’s
So candy however it’s so heavy
Similar to a halo’s
Holy arduous to carry regular
Nonetheless, even with years of Nashville songwriting below her belt, Kennedy admits that this file feels completely different.
It’s extra uncovered, extra confrontational, and likewise extra beneficiant. These aren’t simply heartbreak songs, they’re survival guides for anybody navigating their very own changing into.
With a birthday-week launch for “Willow,” a full album on the way in which, and a headlining tour slated for subsequent yr, she’s stepping boldly into her subsequent chapter.
Atwood caught up with Kennedy to speak about songwriting as a therapeutic course of, how Kate Winslet impressed the file, and why she’s lastly realized to present herself grace.
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:: stream/buy Willow right here ::
:: pre-save The Alchemist right here ::
:: join with Bre Kennedy right here ::
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A CONVERSATION WITH BRE KENNEDY
Atwood Journal: This album has been known as your most weak and assured but, which feels so applicable. What experiences formed this new degree of openness in your songwriting?
Bre Kennedy: That’s actually been my work – unlearning a whole lot of the methods I used to manage. I went by way of a breakup in 2023 after almost a decade-long relationship, principally all of my twenties. It felt like a foundational demolition. All of a sudden, I used to be again on the core of the whole lot once more.
That introduced up inside baby work, and it made me actually take a look at the lady I used to be. That chapter of my life was lovely, however now I’m in a distinct room, or perhaps within the hallway, on my method to a brand new one. I needed to get actually sincere with myself to turn out to be the lady I really like. And that meant strolling into the darkish, scary rooms of my life as a substitute of avoiding them, which is what I’d completed earlier than. That’s what obtained me there.
The final two years have been about grieving – not simply the connection, but additionally grieving a model of myself that didn’t shield her personal coronary heart. I’m studying how you can give myself grace. I used to assume I wanted to search out that in another person, however I’ve realized I get to present that to myself.
That’s how this album happened – really from being damaged. Some individuals go their complete lives with out attending to that place.
It sucks that you just needed to undergo that…
Bre Kennedy: Yeah, and I’ll in all probability undergo it once more. Perhaps I’ve been right here earlier than. I don’t know. There are nonetheless moments when it actually sucks. I’m watching my mother undergo it for the primary time, and it’s wild. Now we have to remind one another: It’s okay to not have all of it collectively. This stage is gross and humbling and foolish… after which there’s Jeni’s Ice Cream.
What was your mother’s response to the track?
Bre Kennedy: I haven’t performed her any of the brand new ones but. She’s presently going by way of her personal unraveling, beginning a brand new chapter in her life. I’m nonetheless processing that in actual time. I’ll present her the songs as soon as the storm settles.
On the very finish of The Alchemist, you hear my grandma speaking concerning the 2020 twister. I used to be studying Untamed by Glennon Doyle on the time, and I bear in mind considering, “There’s a twister within me, too.” Now, I simply need to be there for my mother and grandma as they stroll by way of their very own storms. When the time is true, I’ll sit with my mother and share the songs.
You talked about Untamed, and I do know Glennon Doyle and Elizabeth Gilbert have been huge influences for you. How did their writing form this album?
Bre Kennedy: Studying their tales – how visceral and open they have been about dismantling the tales they thought they have been speculated to stay – blew my thoughts. It confirmed me the significance of sharing your story and taking on area, particularly as an artist.
Generally I’ll put out a track and see it solely has 8,000 views, and I believe nobody’s listening. However then I’ll play a present and somebody will come as much as me after and say, “That one lyric obtained me by way of my divorce.” These moments remind me that honesty issues.
Books like Untamed and Large Magic, A Subject Information to Getting Misplaced rocked my world. They made me notice that the place I’m proper now could be a part of an even bigger story. And that’s value sharing.
Is there a lyric on the album that offers you chills if you sing it stay?
Bre Kennedy: Sure, in “The Alchemist,” the primary verse got here straight from my journal: “My mom cried when she opened her eyes / she was born…”
It feels like I’m speaking about myself, however actually, I’m speaking about my mother, studying how you can make buddies along with her, understanding she’s simply doing her finest. It’s about watching my mother undergo her journey along with her mother, and realizing that inside, she’s nonetheless that little lady. I’m feeling a lot love and style for her in a method I by no means have earlier than.
Earlier, you talked about changing into the lady you need to be. Can you describe who that’s, or is it one thing you’re nonetheless determining?
Bre Kennedy: It’s positively nonetheless unfolding. However I had this life teaching session – and I used to roll my eyes at that type of factor – however a pal provided, and I used to be contemporary out of the breakup and stated, “Certain, why not.” She requested me to image a desk surrounded by girls who encourage me – the individuals I like, perhaps even really feel jealous of. Who’re they?
At my desk, there’s somebody who reveals up on time, stuffed with integrity. Somebody who takes up area unapologetically and encourages others to do the identical. Somebody who fills the desk with meals and shares it and desires everybody to expertise it. After which, Kate Winslet.
That train helped me perceive the type of lady I need to turn out to be. I need to be somebody who turns what occurred in her life into one thing significant. That’s what The Alchemist is about. I’m working towards changing into that particular person each day – even once I fall again.
I used to be feeling actually grounded from January to Might, like, “I’m doing nice!” Then one little factor knocked me off steadiness. And one other. I used to be like, “I simply did all that work… how am I again right here?”
However my therapist jogged my memory: That’s how therapeutic works. One step ahead, two steps again; it means you’re witnessing your individual patterns and making progress.
Is there a track on the album that captures that concept essentially the most?
Bre Kennedy: “Turning into” facilities across the second I spotted I used to be the one I’d been searching for all alongside. I didn’t want to search out myself in anybody else, particularly not in a person. I used to be all the time it.
I’ve by no means been a songwriter, by no means shared one thing so private on stage. How do you put together for the world to listen to one thing this weak?
Bre Kennedy: I believe I’ve simply realized – by way of trial and error – that when I attempt to disguise one thing, it connects much less. And if it connects much less with others, it connects much less with me. And I crave connection. I hate small speak; I stay for conversations like this.
So, I’ve realized that if I’m telling the reality, even when it’s somewhat bizarre or messy, it’ll resonate. But when I attempt to sugarcoat it, it gained’t land.
That stated, I’m actually struggling proper now with how you can share content material round this album. I need to be sincere, however generally I’m wondering: “Who even cares if I’m weak when the world feels prefer it’s on hearth?” However then I bear in mind how different individuals’s honesty – in books, in interviews – helped me be sincere. And that has a ripple impact.
We simply want extra Kate Winslets on the planet. Actually, I simply need her to listen to this album.
We must always positively tag her within the article! Is there a selected Kate Winslet position that resonates most with you?
Bre Kennedy: Actually, all of them. She’s all the time so sturdy and grounded; she actually captures what it means to be a lady. I noticed this interview the place she talked about somebody commenting on her weight through the Titanic press tour, and he or she nonetheless cries about it. She was so younger, and somebody made her really feel ashamed only for being a lady. That second caught with me. We’re simply out right here doing our greatest, and our our bodies are actually constructed to deliver life into the world. We’re like wildflowers. It’s magnificent.
I’ve seen interviews with Britney Spears when she was youthful, they usually have been heartbreaking – the sorts of questions individuals would ask her.
Bre Kennedy: It’s complete idiocracy, and sadly, it’ll all the time exist. Folks will all the time venture their insecurities onto others – some even make a profession out of it. However I believe the actual bravery is in being ourselves regardless of all that. That’s what individuals join with.
These are the individuals I root for, like, “Sure! Go. Screw up. Be messy. Simply go.” I don’t have time for the critics. I’m busy.
You’ve labored with some unbelievable individuals, together with Sheryl Crow. Did she offer you any recommendation that caught with you?
Bre Kennedy: After I launched “Jealous of Birds,” I obtained the decision about Sheryl perhaps every week later. I used to be working at a brewery in Nashville on the time, and I simply bear in mind writing her a card that stated: “From one songbird to a different.”
After I met her, she simply checked out me and stated, “Go inform them who you’re.” I’ll always remember that. It was so empowering. She’s all the time completed her personal factor, and that’s all the time impressed me.
That’s very cool. Is there a second through the recording course of that you just assume again on and it nonetheless makes you smile?
Bre Kennedy: Sure! I’m actually glad you requested that as a result of I’ve been having a tough time remembering how a lot good got here from making this file, and that query introduced all of it again.
I’ve so many movies on my telephone from after we have been recording “Willow” of simply me and my longtime bandmates, the identical individuals who made my first file with me. Coming again to them felt actually therapeutic. We have been simply enjoying and playing around, making one thing grassroots and sincere. I bear in mind considering, “Wow, that is some new vitality I’m in. That is particular.”
I had simply come off tour with Stephen Wilson Jr., and I felt actually pleased with the place I used to be – like I used to be getting into a brand new section. I’ve been speaking about these things onstage, and when Melissa Fuller and I lastly completed writing “The Alchemist,” it was such a breakthrough second. We had tried to jot down it 3 times earlier than that.
The lyric about my mother got here out, and we each simply sat there like, “Whoa.” It was so therapeutic. That complete course of was extremely therapeutic. Thanks for reminding me of that.
So, who did you play the album for first – from begin to end – and what was their response?
Bre Kennedy: You understand what’s humorous? I really haven’t performed it all over for anybody but. However I in all probability will for my finest pal. She’s certainly one of my co-creators on this file – she’s doing all of the paintings and content material. She’s additionally my roommate and has seen me develop by way of all of it. She’s the one who actually pushed me to be courageous and share this message.
What’s going by way of your thoughts if you’re about to launch an album? Is it reduction, pleasure, or one thing else?
Bre Kennedy: “Child Blue” and “Fool” are two songs I’ve launched to this point. “Child Blue” felt actually thrilling – it was enjoyable, the video was lovely, and it featured so many vital individuals and girls in my life. It felt like a celebration.
With “Fool,” I used to be scared. I care deeply about individuals, and I didn’t need to damage anybody’s emotions. That was arduous for me.
However when this full album comes out, I believe I’ll simply really feel deep reduction, like I’m lastly letting go of one thing that was really therapeutic to make.
You’ve talked so much about development all through the method. Considering again to the particular person you have been if you began penning this album, how have you ever modified?
Bre Kennedy: I’ve been reflecting on that so much. I believe I’m softer now. Kinder to myself. And I’m pleased with that.
After I get all of it out on paper, I take a look at it and assume, “Wow, that was so much you simply walked by way of.” I let myself be flirty, I let one other aspect of me out, and I used to be courageous sufficient to strive issues. Generally once I pay attention again to the songs, it appears like future me was chatting with me by way of them, like she already knew one thing I didn’t.
Proper now, I really feel like I’ve caught up with the one who was writing these songs. I used to be in such a inventive, open-hearted place again then as a result of I allowed myself to be damaged and gave myself grace in that.
As I put this file out into the world, I can really feel that little voice – the gremlin – saying, “You’ve obtained to do that proper. You’ve obtained to manage the whole lot.” And this album is reminding me that’s not the place the magic is.
So proper now, I really feel like a willow tree: Grounded, clever, bending with the wind. I really feel each seasoned and nonetheless rising. I nonetheless have work to do, and I’m grateful this album jogs my memory of that.
When listeners hear this album from begin to end, what’s the one factor you need them to remove? Is there a sense or lesson?
Bre Kennedy: That they have already got the whole lot they want. Even the damaged components – the issues of their life that really feel utterly out of their management – these can turn out to be the fabric for transformation. Take these damaged items and write down your story. That’s the place the alchemy occurs.
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:: stream/buy Willow right here ::
:: pre-save The Alchemist right here ::
:: join with Bre Kennedy right here ::
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Stream: “Willow” – Bre Kennedy
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