Ahead of Our Time
| Ahead of Our Time | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | October 20, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 18:26 | |||
| Label | Records Nashville | |||
| Producer | Todd Clark | |||
| James Barker Band chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Ahead of Our Time | ||||
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Ahead of Our Time is the fourth extended play by Canadian country music group James Barker Band. It was released on October 20, 2023, via Records Nashville, marking the band's first project released on a U.S. label.[1] The EP was produced by Todd Clark, and contains the singles "Meet Your Mama", "On the Water", and the title track "Ahead of Our Time", as well as the promotional single "Champagne".[2][3] It won Country Album of the Year at the 2024 Juno Awards.[4]
Background and promotion[edit]
The band's frontman James Barker stated that the EP "tells the story of who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re headed in our next chapter". He added that the band was "drawn to the title of Ahead Of Our Time because these songs have been a part of our journey for a while".[5] After not releasing an extended play since 2020, Barker remarked "I feel like we've been sitting on music for so long. And I feel like this is the best music we've ever made".[6]
The band performed live at a "pop up show" at Ole Red in Nashville, Tennessee on November 28, 2023, to celebrate the release of the project.[7]
Critical reception[edit]
Lorie Hollabaugh of Music Row stated that the EP "showcases the group’s trademark cheeky lyrics and catchy melodies".[5] Nicole Piering of Country Swag opined that the project "shows why they’ve become megastars in Canada and serves as a perfect introduction to new fans everywhere".[8] An uncredited review from All Country News said that the EP "is reflective of the [band's] dynamic approach and matches the dynamics within the group", noting "heartfelt narratives and voices that meld together like butter".[9] Laura Cooney of Entertainment Focus favourably reviewed the project, stating that it "shows the diversity and range of their sound and exudes positive energy throughout, as well as highlighting their musicianship and James’s skills as a songwriter and vocalist".[10]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Step on His Boots" |
| 3:04 |
| 2. | "Ahead of Our Time" |
| 3:07 |
| 3. | "Champagne" |
| 3:29 |
| 4. | "Meet Your Mama" |
| 2:58 |
| 5. | "On the Water" (featuring Dalton Dover) |
| 2:58 |
| 6. | "Heartbeat" |
| 2:47 |
| Total length: | 18:26 | ||
Credits and personnel[edit]
Credits adapted from AllMusic.[11]
- Taylor Abram – background vocals, composition
- James Barker – lead vocals, guitar, composition
- Drew Bollman — engineering
- João Carvalho – master engineering
- Ben Caver – background vocals
- Todd Clark — backing vocals, composition, production, engineering, guitar, keyboard, programming
- Rodney Clawson – composition
- Dave Cohen – keyboard
- Josh Ditty – engineering
- Kris Donegan – guitar
- Dalton Dover – featured vocals
- Jay Dufour – mixing
- Matt Huber – mixing engineer
- Tony Lucido – bass guitar
- Darren McGill – assistant engineering
- Joel McKenney – assistant engineering
- Lex Price – bass guitar
- Jerry Roe – drums
- Jake Rose – composition, programming
- Justin Schipper – pedal steel guitar
- Gavin Slate – composition, programming
- Byron Sutton – acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin
- Derek Wells – electric guitar
- Charlie Worsham – acoustic guitar, guitar, mandolin
Charts[edit]
Singles[edit]
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Certifications | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country [12] |
CAN [13] | |||||||
| 2023 | "Meet Your Mama" | 3 | 85 | |||||
| "On the Water" (featuring Dalton Dover) |
6 | — | ||||||
| "Ahead of Our Time" | 9 | — | ||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that failed to chart | ||||||||
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Juno Awards | Country Album of the Year | Ahead of Our Time | Won | [4] |
Release history[edit]
| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | October 20, 2023 | Digital download | Records Label, LLC | [15] |
| Streaming |
References[edit]
- ^ "INTERVIEW: James Barker Band on New EP". Off the Record. October 19, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ "Ahead of Our Time - EP by James Barker Band". Spotify. Records Label, LLC. October 20, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ "James Barker Band Announces Label Debut EP, Ahead of Our Time, And Raises Toast With New Breakup Anthem "Champagne"". The Country Note. September 8, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ a b "Junos 2024: full list of winners"". CBC Music. March 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Hollabaugh, Lorie (11 September 2023). "James Barker Band Pops 'Champagne' For Upcoming EP 'Ahead Of Our Time'". Music Row. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ Liptak, Carena (October 20, 2023). "James Barker Band Hit Their Stride With 'Ahead of Our Time' EP: 'Everybody's Growing'". Taste of Country. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ "James Barker Band Pop Up Show". Ole Red. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023.
- ^ Piering, Nicole (October 20, 2023). "James Barker Band: 'Ahead Of Our Time' – Debut EP Review". Country Swag. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ "Unveiling James Barker Band's High-Energy New EP: A Knockout Musical Experience". All Country News. 20 October 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ Cooney, Laura (October 20, 2023). "James Barker Band – 'Ahead Of Our Time' EP review". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ "Ahead of Our Time - James Barker Band, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ References for Canada Country peaks:
- "Meet Your Mama": "Canada Country chart for May 20, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- "On the Water": "Canada Country chart for October 14, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- "Ahead of Our Time": "Canada Country chart for March 2, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ References for Canadian Hot 100 peaks:
- "Meet Your Mama": "Canadian Hot 100: May 27, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – James Barker Band". Music Canada.
- ^ "Ahead of Our Time - EP by James Barker Band". Apple Music. October 20, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.