Northern Irish singer-songwriter Janet Devlin has carved a unique space in the industry with her confessional songwriting, trademark wit and quirky folk origins. Yet, with her upcoming album ‘Emotional Rodeo,’ the artist has made a home in the country-rock landscape, infusing the traditional soundscapes of the genre with her unique touch.
Throughout the year, Devlin has teased the album meticulously. From the explosive, chart-topping title track to the yearning ‘Red Flag’, which appeared on BBC Radio 2’s Playlist recently, she’s shaping up to be a rodeo icon in the making with a distinct collection of bonafide country hits.
Held at The Hoxton Underbelly in London, fans discovered much more than just the lead singles from this album. In a lively launch party, the crowd came together to experience the new tracks live for the first time – and many were already singing along, a testament to the album’s melodic and catchy appeal.
Title track ‘Emotional Rodeo’ transformed the venue into uproar, combining an authentic band arrangement with Devlin’s masterful, authentic vocals. Diverting from rock-n-roll growls to peaceful Americana wonder, the singer-songwriter is shaping up to be an unlikely country-rock icon in the making, inviting listeners to the heart of Nashville.
Devlin is an energetic and striking performer, finding a pleasant balance between witty stage banter and stylistic performance. She crafted her own vibrant and uplifting rodeo, dressed head-to-toe in sparkling cowboy attire as she strutted across the stage and fed off the live band’s energy. It was nothing short of infectious.
Standout singles like ‘Daddy’ and ‘Country Singer’ clearly demonstrated hit potential, with unapologetic attitudes and catchy, earworm-worthy choruses. However, this only scratched the surface of ‘Emotional Rodeo’, which seamlessly blends the heartfelt emotion of traditional country ballads with the energy of powerful, upbeat jigs.
Giving the audience a moment to pause and reflect, Devlin smoothly shifted into a stripped-back set. Performing unreleased songs like ‘Whiskey On My Breath’, she mesmerized with each note, bringing to life the vulnerable and honest themes woven throughout the album. By sharing raw glimpses of her personal journey – from heartache and despair to rediscovered self-worth and confidence – she translated her storytelling seamlessly into a captivating and engaging performance.
Rather than dwelling on her struggles, Janet Devlin has transformed her experiences into something positive, finding strength through self-reflection and empowerment. The brilliant ‘Country Singer’, which closed the set, perfectly encapsulated the essence of ‘Emotional Rodeo’ and its potential to become a defining country album for the modern era.
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