Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for February 28th, 2025. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go to either Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp or the artist’s site for ordering or downloading. A + sign means although not a featured release, it’s a notable album that’s still worth checking out. Also, this page will be updated as I find out about other new releases so check back again.
The Devil Makes Three
Spirits (New West Records)
Whether it’s the state of the world or personal travails, a lot of people are going through it right now. Finding your way through these challenges isn’t easy; it takes resilience, clarity and a sense of purpose. These are the themes at the core of Spirits, the new LP by The Devil Makes Three and the trio’s first record since the 2018. Whereas Chains are Broken is very much rooted in a muscular roots rock and alt-country sound, Spirits features more stripped-down arrangements, wherein the brawn comes in the form of lyrical conviction and heartfelt delivery. The sentiment of seeing the rich get richer while everyone else is forced to struggle anchors the jaunty country of “Half as High.” There aren’t really any straightforward answers or resolutions to life’s challenges, although McBean’s ironic “I Love Doing Drugs” does present one possible option. But as the closing selection “Holding On” indicates, Bernhard and The Devil Makes Three really only see one way forward. (edited from No Depression review)
Also new this week…
Cimarron 615 – Cimarron 615 (Blue Elan Records)
JD Clayton – Blue Sky Sundays (Mulberry Records)
Charles Wesley Godwin – Lonely Mountain Town (Big Loud Records) +
Sean McConnell – Skin (Silent Desert Music) +
Barry Oreck & Friends – We Were Wood (independent)
Them Coolee Boys – No Fun In The Chrysalis (independent) +
Christopher Wright – The Other Side (independent)
Coming out soon … Jason Isbell, Sierra Hull, Kris Delmhorst, Charley Crockett, Melissa Carper & Theo Lawrence, Kinky Friedman, Seth Walker, Palmyra, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, A.J. Croce, Janiva Magness, Sam Outlaw, Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters, Pete Mancini, The Wildwoods, Mason Via, Kassi Valazza, Shinyribs, Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert and more!
