Irish singer-songwriter Janet Devlin has released the official visualiser for her single ‘Candy’, a standout track from the deluxe edition of her critically acclaimed album ‘Not My First Emotional Rodeo’. The bright and playful visualiser complements the song’s upbeat energy while highlighting its underlying emotional depth. Listen HERE // Watch HERE.
‘Candy’ showcases Devlin’s passion for storytelling, addressing a rarely explored topic in country music with nuance and empathy. Co-written with Chris Markey, the song subverts stereotypes around “sugar baby” relationships, presenting a narrative that is human, complex, and authentic. Speaking about the song, Devlin explains: “With two Irish people in a room, I knew we had to tell a story. I love tackling taboo topics, and after a random chat about sugar-babies (probably sparked by a TikTok I’d seen), we ran with the idea. What fascinated me was flipping the stereotype: a sugar baby who actually falls in love with her sugar daddy. From the outside it looks shallow and transactional, but like any relationship, it’s messy, imperfect, and real.”
Recorded in Nashville alongside the sessions for ‘Emotional Rodeo’, ‘Candy’ also marks a key moment of artistic assertiveness for Devlin. “I recorded this track, along with the ‘Emotional Rodeo’ album, in Nashville with musicians I’ve admired for years. This one pushed me, though. After a few takes, I knew the tempo was wrong, so I stopped the session and spoke up. It was nerve-wracking, but the faster version ended up being the clear winner. It gave the song the playful, upbeat chorus I’d been chasing, rather than putting too much weight on the lyrics and making it feel heavy or seedy. This track was always on my shortlist for the original album, but I ran out of time. It went through countless iterations, especially vocally, and nothing felt quite right. Stepping away turned out to be the best thing – I came back months later, re-recorded the vocal, and suddenly everything clicked. Thanks to the deluxe edition, it finally gets the release it deserves.”
Following her support slot for country star Corey Kent in February, Devlin launched festival season with appearances at the iconic C2C (Country to Country) festival in Belfast, London, and Berlin in March. Building anticipation for ‘Not My First Emotional Rodeo’, she delivered her fearless style at The Long Road Festival in Leicestershire on August 22nd and 23rd, and headlined at The British Country Music Festival in Blackpool on Sunday, August 31st. She will cap her live performances with a headline show at Colours, Hoxton, on Thursday, October 16th, featuring electrifying new material.
Released in November 2024, ‘Emotional Rodeo’ achieved significant success, solidifying Janet’s position in the country-rock genre. The album topped the iTunes Country Chart, reached #4 on the UK Official Country Artists Albums Chart, #5 on the UK Official Indie Breakers Chart, and #21 on the UK Official Independent Albums Chart. Devlin featured on The Scott Mills Radio 2 Breakfast Show ahead of C2C Festival and earned accolades from Russell Crowe, who previously toured with her and lauds her as reminiscent of Stevie Nicks—ethereal yet direct on stage.
Her singles garnered strong chart performance, hitting #31 in the Big Top 40, #15 in the UK iTunes Charts, and #4 in the iTunes Country Charts, alongside national airplay on Capital & Heart, Absolute Country, New To 2 with Scott Mills, BBC Core playlist inclusion, and over 110 regional radio playlists. ‘Red Flag’ and ‘Best Life’ secured month-long spots on the BBC Radio 2 B List Playlist, with ‘Best Life’ peaking at #38 in the UK Radio Monitor Airplay Top 100. The album received coverage in outlets such as Daily Express, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, The Sun, OK!, Record Collector, The Irish Post, The Irish News, Wonderland, CelebMix, ATC, VIP Magazine, and Record of the Day. Highlights include a performance on The Late Late Show Country Music Special, an interview with Ray D’Arcy on RTE1, and the ‘Red Flag’ video on Sunday Brunch.
Be swept off your feet and into the wild, untamed world of ‘Emotional Rodeo’ – a resounding single that comes hard and fast with unbridled intensity, igniting a passionate trail in its wake. Written with Ben Earle of The Shires and Kaity Rae (GIRLI, Beth McCarthy) Devlin boldly ventures into the heart of country music, effortlessly blending her signature Irish charm with the raw vigour of country rock. Playing in a Ceilidh band as a child, a fiddle plays loud and proud, propelled by driving guitars and thunderous drums. ‘Emotional Rodeo’ doesn’t hold back, as she draws from the diverse range of her musical influences, blending the fiery spirit of Red Hot Chili Peppers with the soul-stirring melodies of country legends like Chris Stapleton.
Since her early beginnings as a standout performer on the UK X Factor at the age of 16, Devlin has gone on to do so much more. Her debut album, ‘Running With Scissors’, heralded a defining moment, wherein she sculpted her singular artistic identity with finesse. Her most recent album, ‘Confessional’, served as a deeply personal narrative as she poured her heart out, transforming her struggles into a captivating folk-pop odyssey that resonated with audiences worldwide. Accompanied by her book ‘My Confessional’, this multifaceted project offered an intimate glimpse into her world.
As noted in a review by Rock Era Magazine, “Her tone is clear, intimate, and unforced, allowing vulnerability to surface without becoming fragile.”
