[1][2] McBryde described the process of recording both albums over a three-month period between late 2021 and early 2022 as "going over to a friend's house for a sleepover and then deciding to stay an extra day" and noted the intentional contrast between Lindeville, a project featuring songs about fictional characters inhabiting the titular town, and The Devil I Know, which veered more towards introspection and reflection of McBryde's real life experiences on the road.

She and producer Jay Joyce recorded the majority of the album live with McBryde's touring band Deadhorse.

It was written with Connie Harrington, a significant contributor to Lindeville, and Jessi Alexander about the importance of female figures in their lives and received a positive response from critics.

[6] Discussing the concept of the album, McBryde stated that it was created as a pushback to some of her critics, noting "'Y'all are too country.'

"[7] Veteran critic Robert Christgau gave the album an "A" in his "Consumer Guide," applauding the subject matter and the "impressive clarity and deliberation" with which McBryde sings.