The Wood Brothers have announced their ninth studio album, Puff of Smoke, due out August 1st, 2025 via Honey Jar/Thirty Tigers and shared the album’s lead single, “Witness”, along with a video filmed and edited by founding member and bassist Chris Wood.

Recorded at The Studio Nashville, Puff of Smoke showcases the Wood Brothers’ unique combination of folk, gospel, and blues in an 11-song collection highlighting the progressive Americana trio’s unmatched chemistry and elevated songcraft. With the subtle wit and wisdom of John Prine and the down-home appeal of Willie Nelson, the album provides a soundtrack for uncertain times, offering a healthy dose of optimism in the face of geopolitical turmoil and spiritual adversity.

“We’re not in control and that can be good news. Puff of Smoke speaks to the idea of letting go and taking the ride,” said guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Oliver Wood. “This album is a little bit schizophrenic and eclectic. It goes in a number of different directions.”

Chris Wood concurred, adding that the album marks the next chapter in the band’s nearly 20-year evolution. “There’s a lot to unpack musically in this band, and it’s been this evolutionary process over the years and on each subsequent record,” he explained. “Over time, the diversity of things we can do has all become part of our language.”

Accompanying the album announcement, lead single “Witness” arrives with a brash blast of New Orleans brass (just in time for Jazz Fest). The song is one among several that reflect a philosophical outlook, addressing themes of meditation and mindfulness.

​”Songs like ‘The Trick’ and ‘Witness’ are very much about mindfulness,” Oliver Wood remarked. “‘The trick is not to give a damn’ — so, that’s detachment — or, ‘I’m just a witness’ — I’m just watching things happen. I’m not gonna be my feelings. I’m gonna watch ’em float by. Even a song like ‘Pray God Listens,’ which is a little bit humorous and cynical, leaves room to go a little deeper to find the compassion.”

Check out the official music video for “Witness” below or stream the track on your preferred platform. Pre-order/pre-save Puff of Smoke here and click below to view the full album tracklist.

Leading up to the album release on August 1st, The Wood Brothers will be on the road with festival dates and headline shows across the U.S., including Tedeschi Trucks Band‘s Sun, Sand and Soul, Del McCoury‘s DelFest, and Rochester Jazz Festival, plus a co-headline run with St. Paul & The Broken Bones beginning in June. Click below for a full list of tour dates and head here for tickets.

Puff Of Smoke​ ​Tracklist:
​
​1. Witness
2. Puff of Smoke
3. Pray God Listens
4. Money Song
5. The Trick
6. Is It Up To You
7. Above All Others
8. The Waves
9. Slow Rise (to the middle)
10. You Choose Me
11. Till The End

View Tracklist

The Wood Brothers​ Tour Dates:
​5/3 – Miramar Beach, FL – Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Sun, Sand and Soul
5/16 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater #
5/17 – Charlotte, NC – The Amp Ballantyne #
5/18 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights #
5/20 – Norfolk, VA – Virginia Arts Festival
5/21 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center
5/22 – Cumberland, MD – DelFest
5/23 – King of Prussia, PA – Concerts Under the Stars
5/24 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony
6/11 – Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater *
6/12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden & Arboretum *
6/14 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater *
6/15 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle *
6/18 – Santa Rosa, CA – Luther Burbank Center for the Arts *
6/19 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino *
6/20 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery *
6/21 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl *
6/23 – Chautauqua, NY – Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater
6/24 – Rochester, NY – Rochester International Jazz Fest
7/10 – Indianapolis, IN – Rock The Ruins *
7/11 – Cleveland, OH – MGM Northfield Park *
7/12 – Interlochen, MI – Interlochen Center for the Arts *
7/13 – Fort Wayne, IN – Sweetwater Performance Pavilion *
7/15 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory *
7/16 – Kansas City, MO – Grinders KC *
7/17 – Salina, KS – The Stiefel Theatre *
7/18 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre #
7/19 – Paonia, CO – Big B’s Delicious Orchards
8/7 – Deerfield, MA – Tree House Brewing Company
8/8 – Lowell, MA – Lowell Summer Music Series
8/9 – Stowe, VT – Strawberry Jam Festival
8/10 – Westport, CT – Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
8/12 – Annapolis, MD – Maryland Hall
8/13 – Richmond, VA – The National
8/14 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
8/15 – Charleston, SC – The Refinery
8/16 – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
8/29 – Mill Spring, NC – Earl Scruggs Music Festival
8/31 – Charlestown, RI – Rhythm & Roots Festival
9/10-13 – Las Vegas, NV – Bender Jamboree Fest
​
# w/ The String Cheese Incident​
* w/ St. Paul & The Broken Bones

View Tour Dates

The Wood Brothers – “Witness”