Album Review: Janet Devlin – Confessional

Janet Devlin fans have been waiting a long time for this album. Thankfully, over 5 years after Running With Scissors, the Tyrone singer-songwriter – and her intoxicating voice – are back.

Confessional was released today after a COVID-19 related postponement, and what shines through its dark exterior is nearly a half-decade of hard work on the part of the ex-X Factor contestant.

Devlin is (literally) shedding her skin on Confessional, emerging stronger and more vibrant than ever before. The album opens to Céilí-inspired fiddles and thunderous percussion – harking back to her roots as a trad musician – as Devlin introduces her 'Confessional.' "There's a secret on the tip of my tongue / And it's burning low between my lungs," she sings, her voice as unique and unwavering as ever.

Remarkably, Devlin and her producer Jonathan Quarmby seems to have found that happy marriage between pop and traditional. 'Saint of The Sinners' and 'Speak' use haunting, sweeping strings and 'Holy Water' has a fair bit of foot-stomping. Devlin has managed to breathe new life into the tradition of Irish music.

Confessional is meant to be a concept album, released in tandem with a soul-bearing book that helps illustrate Devlin's personal struggles with identity and alcoholism over the past five years. It's an emotional look into an interesting artist.

• 8/10, out now.