Irish singer Dermot Kennedy has announced his third studio album, 'The Weight of the Woods', set for release on March 27, 2026. The album features 13 tracks on its standard version and was created between Ireland and Nashville. Kennedy shared the tracklist and artwork, emphasizing its organic Irish sound.
Dermot Kennedy, known for hits like 'Power Over Me', unveiled details of his upcoming third album on January 23. Titled 'The Weight of the Woods', it is scheduled for release on Friday, March 27, 2026. The announcement came via a video of Kennedy walking up a hill through woods, accompanied by the reveal of the album's artwork showing him seated in a stone archway in a long brown coat.
The standard LP edition includes 13 songs: 'The Weight of the Woods (Reprise)', 'Honest', 'Refuge', 'Funeral', 'Endless', 'Sycamore', 'Often, Lately', 'Turnstile', 'Wasted', 'Blue Eyes', 'Trepidation', 'The Only Time I Prayed', and 'The Weight of the Woods'. Digital and cassette versions add 'Happiness' as the 13th track, followed by the title track. Exclusive double LP editions offer further bonuses: the D2C version includes 'Stockholm' and a live 'Carrickfergus', while the indies exclusive features 'Black Water' and 'Deserve'.
Kennedy described the album's creation process in a Hits Radio interview with Scott Clarke, noting it was made 'down the road from where I live' in Ireland, with Nashville contributions. He stressed its 'organically' Irish feel, incorporating instruments like the bouzouki, mandolins, and bodhrán—a traditional Irish drum—without deliberate effort. Despite Nashville's country music heritage, Kennedy clarified it is not a country album: "No, I'll definitely be inspired (by country music), but I could pretty much confidently say I won't do this."
In an Instagram caption for the tracklist, Kennedy expressed enthusiasm: 'The Weight of the Woods tracklists!! Certain special versions with certain special songs, particularly one you guys have been asking me to record for quite some time, and I think we captured something very beautiful! These songs mean so much to me, I can’t wait for you to have them ♥️'.
Kennedy plans a UK tour in May, June, and July 2026, aiming to capture intimate venue energy in larger arenas. He told Hits Radio: "I just want to take that feeling from the smaller venues and bring it to those shows... the music isn't off, you know? And if you can get the right people in that room, they feel the same way."
