Acclaimed genre-blending trio The Devil Makes Three is back with their long-awaited album ‘Spirits,' arriving on February 28, 2025, via New West Records. Produced by Ted Hutt (known for work with Dropkick Murphys and Old Crow Medicine Show), the 13-track album was recorded at Dreamland Recording Studios in Hurley, NY, and is the band’s first album release since ‘Chains Are Broken' in 2018.
‘Spirits' marks a return to The Devil Makes Three’s raw, stripped-back style while exploring darker themes of grief, resilience, and self-reflection. Frontman and songwriter Pete Bernhard, who experienced personal losses while creating the album, explains, “There’s a theme of ghosts and death running through this album…whether it’s dealing with loss, addiction, or the way people are more divided than ever. But at the end of the day, this band has always been about celebrating resilience.”
The album sees the trio, including co-founder Cooper McBean and new bassist and vocalist MorganEve Swain, blend their trademark folk, blues, and punk energy with an emotional edge inspired by life’s hardships. With over two decades of crafting unique sounds, The Devil Makes Three remains true to its roots. “We wanted to play traditional folk music with an aggressively punk approach,” Bernhard recalls of their early days in Santa Cruz.
The title track, ‘Spirits, captures Bernhard’s journey through grief, honouring loved ones lost to illness and tragedy. Bernhard says, “This song celebrates them and is an attempt to keep talking to the people we have lost. The spirits are with us.”
The Devil Makes Three has also announced initial North American tour dates, launching February 27 in Vancouver, BC, with performances at iconic venues like the Fillmore in San Francisco, Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and First Avenue in Minneapolis. Full tour details are available on their website, www.TheDevilMakesThree.com.
‘Spirits' will be available on digital platforms, CD, and standard vinyl, with limited-edition red and blue vinyl options. Pre-orders are open now through New West Records.
