Dermot Kennedy releases 'Sonder' explaining the meaning behind its name
It's been three years since his last album
It's been a long time coming, but finally the eagerly anticipated second album from Dermot Kennedy has been released. Dermot has been teasing 'Sonder' for quite some time, and now fans can get their hands on the album, which features many of his already popular songs.
Dermot has already released songs ‘Kiss Me’, ‘Something To Someone’ and ‘Better Days', as well as ‘Innocence and Sadness’ and ‘Dreamer’, but there are 11 in total on the new album.
On the day of release, Dermot shared a number of posts on social media, including a time-lapse video showing him standing still, holding a copy of his album, while people walk around him.
He captioned his video: 'Sonder — the realisation that each passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. My second studio album is out now everywhere'.
In response to his post, fellow artist Tom Grennan wrote: 'Good luck brother 🙌', while a fan wrote: 'Yes boy 💜 we love every single song 🎵 😍 🙌 👏 🔥'.
Where was 'Sonder' made?
On the day of release, Dermot shared a few photos along with a caption explaining how the album was made around the world, over a number of years.
The singer, who was in New York at the time of posting said: 'It is now just past midnight back in Dublin, wich means that, for some of you, 'Sonder' is already out. I hope more than anything that you see yourself and your story in this album. The thought of you guys listening to this album for the first time actually gives me chills. A long time coming. This album has been made all over the world for the last few years. Countless late nights and early mornings. I’ve been in good places, I’ve been in bad. I’ve felt a range of emotions that I cannot describe putting this project together. I can’t express how much all of this means to me. And I hope it means a lot to you too. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love every day. Thank you for filling up rooms, big and small, all across the world. Thank you for your undying support throughout this journey. Thank you ♥️'. (sic)
What does 'Sonder' mean?
In a press release it was revealed that the album title 'Sonder', 'is summarised as “the realisation that each random passer-by is living a life as vivid and complex as your own,” a term that resonates deeply with Kennedy and influenced him throughout the making of the album, a term that resonates deeply with Kennedy and influenced him throughout the making of the album.'
When is 'Sonder' released?
'Sonder' is now available to buy! It was originally due for release earlier this year, and put back a couple of times. In August, Dermot told his fans 'this year has been wild' and the delay is 'necessary for a lot of reasons', explaining that his album would be pushed back to 4th November.
The singer then delayed his album again due to the planned postal strikes in the UK, explaining in a statement: 'Hey guys, I just wanted to write you a brief message to let you know that the release of Sonder has been pushed back to November 18th. I truly hate doing this, but due to the postal strike in the UK I just wouldn't be able to get the album out to you in time. I feel very strongly about everyone getting this album at the same time so we can share in this experience together, so it is the right thing to do so I can guarantee they'll arrive.'
When is Dermot Kennedy on tour?
Dermot will start his next UK tour in 31st March 2023, travelling across the UK before finishing at The O2 in London on 14th April 2023. Tickets are available from Aloud.com
You can hear songs by Dermot Kennedy on Forth 1.
Now take a look through some of Dermot Kennedy's biggest songs:
2017: 'Moments Passed'
'Moments Passed' was a song released by Dermot Kennedy in 2017, the song was also included on several of his releases including his debut album 'Without Fear', his EP 'Mike Dean Presents: Dermot Kennedy', and his compilation album 'Dermot Kennedy'.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
2018: 'Power Over Me'
'Power Over Me' was Dermot Kennedy's first successful song in the UK charts reaching the Top 30. The song was also featured on Dermot's debut studio album 'Without Fear'.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
2019: 'Outnumbered'
'Outnumbered' is one of Dermot Kennedy's biggest songs. He released it in 2019 and it became a Top 10 hit here in the UK and his native Ireland. The song was written by Dermot along with a team of writers.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
2019: 'Lost'
'Lost' was a song released in Ireland by Dermot Kennedy in 2019. The song was fairly successful reaching Number 26 in Ireland. In an interview with Songwriter Universe he told of the inspiration behind writing the song.
"I think with that song, the key line is the first line in the chorus: 'If only you could see yourself in my eyes, you'd see you shine,'" he explained. "When you love somebody—be it in your family or partner, and you wish they had a higher idea of themselves, and you wish they could seem themselves the way you see them.
"I found myself in that situation quite a bit, where you wish they could have a higher self-esteem and to see themselves in a more complimentary way. So that's what that song is. I find that so much of my songs are messages to the people I care about, which is obviously nothing new in art. But I wish certain people would see themselves the way I see them."
Watch the music video on YouTube.
2020: 'Giants'
Another hit song written by Dermot Kennedy along with a team of writers, 'Giants' was the lead single from this Number 1 album 'Without Fear'. Dermot admitted in an interview with Songwriter Universe that he wasn't sure about the song originally. He told them: "He (Louis Bloom president of Island Records) was mad into that one. And I was like, 'Nah…I'm into every other one, but not that one.' Then it took me a long time, but I got there eventually."
Back in 2020 he also spoke to us about the song saying: "It feels strange, and it certainly feels weird to just release a song and not be able to tour it.
"It does feel different, but it also feels like a welcome break too."
Watch the music video on YouTube.
2021: 'Better Days'
Dermot Kennedy released 'Better Days' in July 2021. The song was written by Dermot during the Coronavirus Pandemic and in a press released he revealed: "This is a song about patience.
"It's about believing in something brighter, and never losing sight of better days, no matter how hard things might get. In a time where so many people feel worried and exhausted, I would love for this song to remind even one person that things will improve."
He continued: "As an artist, I feel somewhat responsible to try to make people feel a little better, whether that's making them think of someone they love, or just taking their mind off their problems for the length of a song. So this is my contribution to hopefully providing some people with a moment's solace. Better days will come"
Watch the music video on YouTube.
2022: 'Something to Someone'
Released in May 2022, 'Something to Someone' was the lead single from Dermot's second album, 'Sonder'. The track reached Number 2 on the Irish Singles Chart and charted at Number 44 on the UK Singles Chart.
2022: 'Kiss Me'
'Kiss Me' was released in September 2022 and features on Dermot's second album 'Sonder'. The song reached Number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and Number 4 on the Irish Singles Chart.
Now read:
Dermot Kennedy: How the 'Outnumbered' singer became famous
Dermot Kennedy's biggest songs from 'Outnumbered' to 'Paradise'