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 strong new chapter.
Stream: “Willow” – Bre Kennedy
I’ve discovered that if I’m telling the reality, even when it’s a little bit bizarre or messy, it’ll resonate. But when I attempt to sugarcoat it, it received’t land.
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Bre Kennedy has all the time written from the guts, however her upcoming album The Alchemist takes issues even deeper.
Trustworthy and unfiltered, the file seems 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 mushy and resilient,” she sings, summing up the strain and steadiness on the core of the tune. 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 woman within the entrance seat
Placing on her face
Carrying the load
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 in the end 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.”
Relatively than draw back, Kennedy did what artists do greatest: She documented it. Throughout 10 tracks, The Alchemist traces the real-time unfolding of grief, grace, and private and creative progress. 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 religious. Impressed by writers like Glennon Doyle, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Rebecca Solnit – all of whom have written about dismantling id – she started to see storytelling as a form 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 onerous to carry regular
Nonetheless, even with years of Nashville songwriting underneath her belt, Kennedy admits that this file feels completely different.
It’s extra uncovered, extra confrontational, and in addition 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 12 months, 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 discovered to provide 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 acceptable. What experiences formed this new stage of openness in your songwriting?
Bre Kennedy: That’s actually been my work – unlearning loads of the methods I used to manage. I went by means of a breakup in 2023 after almost a decade-long relationship, principally all of my twenties. It felt like a foundational demolition. Immediately, I used to be again on the core of all the things once more.
That introduced up inside little one work, and it made me actually have 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 technique to a brand new one. I needed to get actually trustworthy with myself to change into the lady I really like. And that meant strolling into the darkish, scary rooms of my life as an alternative of avoiding them, which is what I’d performed earlier than. That’s what received 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 tips on how to give myself grace. I used to assume I wanted to search out that in another person, however I’ve realized I get to provide that to myself.
That’s how this album took place – 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 most likely 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. We’ve 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 tune?
Bre Kennedy: I haven’t performed her any of the brand new ones but. She’s at the moment going by means 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 in regards to 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 means 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 had been large influences for you. How did their writing form this album?
Bre Kennedy: Studying their tales – how visceral and open they had been about dismantling the tales they thought they had been presupposed to reside – blew my thoughts. It confirmed me the significance of sharing your story and taking over house, particularly as an artist.
Generally I’ll put out a tune and see it solely has 8,000 views, and I feel nobody’s listening. However then I’ll play a present and somebody will come as much as me after and say, “That one lyric received me by means of my divorce.” These moments remind me that honesty issues.
Books like Untamed and Massive Magic, A Discipline 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 price sharing.
Is there a lyric on the album that provides you chills once you sing it reside?
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 seems like I’m speaking about myself, however actually, I’m speaking about my mother, studying tips on how to make mates along with her, understanding she’s simply doing her greatest. It’s about watching my mother undergo her journey along with her mother, and realizing that inside, she’s nonetheless that little woman. I’m feeling a lot love and style for her in a means 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 form of factor – however a buddy provided, and I used to be recent out of the breakup and mentioned, “Positive, 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 exhibits up on time, stuffed with integrity. Somebody who takes up house 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 form of lady I need to change into. 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 individual 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 personal patterns and making progress.
Is there a tune on the album that captures that concept probably the most?
Bre Kennedy: “Changing into” facilities across the second I spotted I used to be the one I’d been in search of 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 feel I’ve simply discovered – by means of trial and error – that when I attempt to conceal 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 discuss; I reside for conversations like this.
So, I’ve discovered that if I’m telling the reality, even when it’s a little bit bizarre or messy, it’ll resonate. But when I attempt to sugarcoat it, it received’t land.
That mentioned, I’m actually struggling proper now with tips on how to share content material round this album. I need to be trustworthy, however generally I ponder: “Who even cares if I’m weak when the world feels prefer it’s on fireplace?” However then I bear in mind how different individuals’s honesty – in books, in interviews – helped me be trustworthy. And that has a ripple impact.
We simply want extra Kate Winslets on the earth. 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 function 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 in the course of 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 carry life into the world. We’re like wildflowers. It’s magnificent.
I’ve seen interviews with Britney Spears when she was youthful, and so they had been heartbreaking – the sorts of questions individuals would ask her.
Bre Kennedy: It’s whole 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 feel the true 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 provide you with any recommendation that caught with you?
Bre Kennedy: After I launched “Jealous of Birds,” I received 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 mentioned: “From one songbird to a different.”
After I met her, she simply checked out me and mentioned, “Go inform them who you’re.” I’ll always remember that. It was so empowering. She’s all the time performed her personal factor, and that’s all the time impressed me.
That’s very cool. Is there a second in the course of 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 had 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 had been simply enjoying and playing around, making one thing grassroots and trustworthy. 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 happy with the place I used to be – like I used to be moving into a brand new part. 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 already know what’s humorous? I really haven’t performed it throughout for anybody but. However I most likely will for my greatest buddy. She’s certainly one of my co-creators on this file – she’s doing all of the art work and content material. She’s additionally my roommate and has seen me develop by means of all of it. She’s the one who actually pushed me to be courageous and share this message.
What’s going by means of your thoughts once 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 necessary individuals and ladies 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 harm anybody’s emotions. That was onerous for me.
However when this full album comes out, I feel 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 quite a bit about progress all through the method. Pondering again to the individual you had been once you began scripting this album, how have you ever modified?
Bre Kennedy: I’ve been reflecting on that quite a bit. I feel I’m softer now. Kinder to myself. And I’m happy with that.
After I get all of it out on paper, I have a look at it and assume, “Wow, that was quite a bit you simply walked by means of.” I let myself be flirty, I let one other facet of me out, and I used to be courageous sufficient to attempt issues. Generally once I pay attention again to the songs, it seems like future me was chatting with me by means of them, like she already knew one thing I didn’t.
Proper now, I really feel like I’ve caught up with the one that was writing these songs. I used to be in such a artistic, 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 received to do that proper. You’ve received to regulate all the things.” 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, smart, 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 all the things they want. Even the damaged components – the issues of their life that really feel fully out of their management – these can change into 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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