Ahead of Our Time

Last updated
Ahead of Our Time
Ahead of Our Time.jpeg
EP by
James Barker Band
ReleasedOctober 20, 2023 (2023-10-20)
Genre Country
Length18:26
Label Records Nashville
Producer Todd Clark
James Barker Band chronology
JBB-Sides
(2020)		Ahead of Our Time
(2023)		One of Us
(2025)
Singles from Ahead of Our Time
  1. "Meet Your Mama"
    Released: January 27, 2023
  2. "On the Water"
    Released: May 26, 2023
  3. "Ahead of Our Time"
    Released: November 6, 2023

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]

Contents

Background and promotion

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

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

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Step on His Boots"
3:04
2."Ahead of Our Time"
  • Barker
  • Jake Rose
3:07
3."Champagne"
3:29
4."Meet Your Mama"
2:58
5."On the Water" (featuring Dalton Dover)
2:58
6."Heartbeat"
  • Barker
  • Clark
  • Slate
  • Wood
2:47
Total length:18:26

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic. [11]

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryNominated WorkResultRef.
2024 Juno Awards Country Album of the Year Ahead of Our TimeWon [4]
CMAO AwardsAlbum or EP of the YearAhead of Our TimeNominated [12]
Canadian Country Music Awards Single of the Year"Meet Your Mama"Pending [13]

Release history

Release formats for Ahead of Our Time
CountryDateFormatLabelRef.
VariousOctober 20, 2023 Digital download Records Label, LLC [14]
Streaming

References

  1. ↑ "INTERVIEW: James Barker Band on New EP". Off the Record. October 19, 2023. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Ahead of Our Time - EP by James Barker Band". Spotify . Records Label, LLC. October 20, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. 1 2 "Junos 2024: full list of winners"". CBC Music . March 23, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Hollabaugh, Lorie (11 September 2023). "James Barker Band Pops 'Champagne' For Upcoming EP 'Ahead Of Our Time'". Music Row. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "James Barker Band Pop Up Show". Ole Red. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023.
  8. ↑ Piering, Nicole (October 20, 2023). "James Barker Band: 'Ahead Of Our Time' – Debut EP Review". Country Swag. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Unveiling James Barker Band's High-Energy New EP: A Knockout Musical Experience". All Country News. 20 October 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  10. ↑ Cooney, Laura (October 20, 2023). "James Barker Band – 'Ahead Of Our Time' EP review". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Ahead of Our Time - James Barker Band, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  12. ↑ "2024 CMAOntario Awards". CMAOntario. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  13. ↑ "2024 CCMA AWARDS NOMINEES". Canadian Country Music Association . Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Ahead of Our Time - EP by James Barker Band". Apple Music . October 20, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
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