James Barker Band – Singles Only [EP Review]

Two years after the release of their debut album, James Barker Band is back with a new collection of songs on their EP, Singles Only.

In the 25 months between releases, JBB has picked up awards from the Country Music Association of Ontario (Fans’ Choice), Canadian Country Music Association (Single of the Year, Chills), the Junos (Country Album of the Year, Game On), and added a CMA nomination for Global Country Artist. And with the seven songs on their new release, the boys are looking to continue their run.

The EP features singles Good Together and Keep It Simple, which have already become fan favourites in the band’s live show, at Canadian country radio (#6 and #5 respectively) and on streaming services with a combined 31,000,000+ plays across Spotify and YouTube. Add in the new video for There’s A Drink For That, and those numbers are only going to climb.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

James Barker Band has become known for the good times that they have on stage and the good times they sing about. And while that’s still present on Singles Only, there’s also a slowed down, more lovey side represented here. As the boys in the band start to settle down in their life away from the road, we shouldn’t be surprised to see this evolution. And for fans, this is an opportunity to see a more complete spectrum of what JBB can offer in country music.

As we often do, we wish there were more songs included on the release. Seven is great, we’re happy to have the new music to listen to. But boys, if you’re listening, we’d be 100% into about 12 on the next album.

In the past, we’ve made guesses about songs being released as radio singles with some kind of success. From this collection, removing Good Together, Keep It Simple, and There’s A Drink For That from the equation, we’d lean on Slow Down Town as a strong contender for the charts. Now, maybe the album title will prove to be prophetic, and all seven songs will take a run at radio, we’ll have to wait and see.

Singles Only is a solid listen. At 22 minutes long, it flies by. And with songs that we already know included, gives us both a feeling of new and familiar in the same session. The songs will make excellent additions to the James Barker Band library. And while we want more, we’re into it!

If you haven’t listened to Singles Only yet, now’s the time. Pour yourself a “bourbon, whiskey, wine or margarita”, or maybe a pop or coffee, then hit play on the stream here, and leave a comment telling us which song is your favourite.

And, check out the James Barker Band tour dates listed below to find them on a stage near you this summer!

James Barker Band, Singles Only Tracklist

1. There’s A Drink For That
2. Slow Down Town
3. She’s A Hit
4. If It Weren’t For Girls
5. Keep It Simple
6. Want You In It
7. Good Together

James Barker Band, Summer 2019 Tour Dates

June 8 – Niverville, MN – Niverville Fair
June 14 – Saint-agapit, QC – Festival Country de Lotbinière
July 10 – London, ON – Harris Park
July 18 – Twin Lakes, WI – Country Thunder
July 19 – Bala, ON – The Kee to Bala
July 20 – Bala, ON – The Kee to Bala
August 3 – Camrose, AB – Big Valley Jamboree
August 8 – Little Current, ON – Manitoulin Country Fest
August 15 – Havelock, ON – Havelock Country Jamboree
August 24 – Lucknow, ON – Lucknow Music in the Fields
August 31 – Kelowna, BC – Denim On The Diamond

Author profile

Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.