Nashville singer/songwriter Bre Kennedy opens up with vulnerability on "Willow," her latest insight into her most intimate and transformative album. She returns softer, stronger, and more confident as she embarks on an impactful new chapter.
Stream: “Willow” – Bre Kennedy
“I’ve discovered that if I’m being truthful, even if it’s a bit odd or chaotic, it resonates. However, if I attempt to sugarcoat my feelings, it won’t connect.”
Bre Kennedy has always written with emotional depth, but her forthcoming album, The Alchemist, delves even deeper. With honesty and rawness, the album feels like a personal diary documenting her journey from heartbreak to healing, encompassing all the chaotic and significant moments in between. Her new single "Willow," released recently, sets the mood, offering a quiet contemplation on the process of breaking down and rebuilding. "I am soft and resilient," she sings, encapsulating the song’s core tension and balance. This provides a clear indication of what to expect from her eagerly awaited fourth studio album, set to release on January 30, 2026.
The project's inception stemmed from a period of collapse. In 2023, Kennedy ended a long-term relationship that dominated her twenties, leaving her emotionally shattered but ultimately guiding her back to herself. “It was essentially a foundational demolition,” she reflects. “I had to confront the dark, frightening aspects of my life instead of avoiding them.”
Instead of retreating, Kennedy chose to document her experience as any artist would. Throughout the ten tracks of The Alchemist, she captures the unfolding of grief, grace, and both personal and artistic development in real-time. Her voice remains steady, even in moments of trembling vulnerability. These aren't simply songs crafted after the chaos; they are snapshots taken amidst the storm.
For Kennedy, creating The Alchemist was not only an artistic endeavor but also a spiritual journey. Influenced by authors like Glennon Doyle, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Rebecca Solnit—who have all discussed reexamining identity—she began to regard storytelling as a form of salvation. “Their bravery in sharing their truths helped me find the courage to do the same,” she explains.
Yet, despite her years of songwriting in Nashville, Kennedy acknowledges that this album feels different. It’s more intimate, confrontational, and generous. These tracks are not merely heartbreak anthems; they serve as survival guides for those navigating their own transformational journeys. With "Willow" releasing during her birthday week, a complete album on the horizon, and a headlining tour planned for next year, she confidently steps into her next chapter.
Atwood caught up with Kennedy to discuss songwriting as a healing process, her inspiration from Kate Winslet, and her newfound understanding of self-compassion.
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:: stream/purchase Willow here ::
:: pre-save The Alchemist here ::
:: connect with Bre Kennedy here ::
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A CONVERSATION WITH BRE KENNEDY
Atwood Magazine: This album has been described as your most vulnerable and confident yet. What experiences contributed to this new openness in your songwriting?
Bre Kennedy: It’s definitely been my focus—unlearning many of my previous coping mechanisms. I experienced a breakup in 2023 after a nearly decade-long relationship, which essentially spanned my entire twenties. It felt like a fundamental breakdown. Suddenly, I found myself back at the essence of everything.
This experience aroused inner child work and forced me to reevaluate the woman I’ve become. That phase of my life was beautiful, yet I’m now in a different space—perhaps in a transitional period, moving toward a new chapter. I had to be utterly honest with myself to transform into the woman I cherish. That meant facing the dark, daunting rooms in my life instead of avoiding them, which was my prior habit. That’s what brought me to this point.
The past two years have involved profound grief—not just for the relationship but also mourning the part of me that didn’t safeguard her own heart. I’m learning to extend grace to myself. I once thought I had to derive that grace from someone else, but I’ve come to realize that I can grant it to myself.
This album arose from a place of brokenness. Some individuals go their entire lives without reaching such a realization.
It’s unfortunate that you had to endure that...
Bre Kennedy: Absolutely. I might have to face it again. Perhaps I’ve encountered this before; I’m not entirely certain. There are still moments when it’s incredibly challenging. I’m witnessing my mom navigate similar difficulties for the first time, which is surreal. We constantly remind each other that it’s okay not to have everything together. This phase can be grotesque, humbling, and silly… then there’s ice cream to sweeten it all.
What has your mom thought about the song?
Bre Kennedy: I haven’t played her any of the new music just yet. She’s presently undergoing
Nashville singer/songwriter Bre Kennedy showcases vulnerability in her latest release, “Willow,” offering a preview of her most intimate and transformative album to date. She emerges from this experience softer, stronger, and more self-assured as she embarks on a significant new chapter.
