One of Us is the first full-length studio album by Canadian country music group James Barker Band. It was released on September 5, 2025, via Universal Music Canada.[2] The album was produced by the band's frequent collaborator Todd Clark.[3] It contains the singles "You Didn't Hear It from Me" and "Somebody I Know". The band is supporting the album by headlining the "Bud Light Buckle Up Tour" across Canada from September to November 2025 across Canada.[4]
Prior to One of Us, James Barker Band had released four extended plays and several stand alone singles between 2017 and 2023, but not a full-length album. In a press release announcing the release of the album, the band's lead vocalist and guitarist James Barker remarked "We've never been able to release more than a few songs at a time, so dropping a full-length album just feels deeper. A single gives you one vibe, one dimension. But with this album, all the songs blend to create something bigger. There’s a thread that runs through the sound and the lyrics that really shows who we are as a band."[5] As part of the lead-up to the album's release, the band returned to Woodville, Ontario, the hometown of both James Barker and drummer Connor Stephen, to meet with fans and film content with the community in support of the album.[6]
Critical reception
James Daykin of Entertainment Focus favourably reviewed One of Us, stating that it "feels like a full-circle journey: from the joy of small-town living to the pain of heartbreak, from youthful energy to hard-earned perspective," and opining that it is "a set of songs that feel like they belong to everyone who's ever loved, lost or lived with the radio on."[7] An uncredited review from All Country News noted how the album blends "classic country instrumentation with modern production, creating a sound that honors their roots while embracing the possibilities of contemporary country," noting the use of both steel guitars and "subtle" 808 drum beats. The author opined that the album proves the band is "here to stay, shaping the sound of Canadian country music for years to come."[8]
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