Quickfire lyrics, soaring guitars – even a chunky bass solo! Tolerant Nation, the new single from ATB faves Barbara sets the Barbara bar even higher – AND – it launches the countdown for the September release of that long-awaited Barbara debut album.

Release Date: 18th June 2025

Label: Self Release

Format: Digital

A NEW SINGLE AND… DEBUT ALBUM ANNOUNCED!

It wasn’t much longer than a week ago when we warned Barbarettes everywhere to assume the ‘brace’ position. A deluge of Barbara activity was coming down the pipeline. And, sure enough, that deluge has commenced. Promised new single, Tolerant Nation is here and it’s yet another revelation. Even better news – the debut full-length Barbara album has been announced. THAT’s something that we’ve been waiting for for what seems like an age!

First things first…

TOLERANT NATION

Tolerant Nation, the first of three new Barbara songs recorded for the new album to see light of day was released on 18th June. Recorded at Paul Weller’s Black Barn Studio in the Surrey countryside, and produced by Paul Steel, is a song that sets the Barbara bar at an even higher level than we’ve been used to. It takes Barbara even deeper into the realms of prog-tinged pop, without losing the lighthearted aspect of their work that so effectively distinguishes Barbara from the crowd.

A swirl of harp introduces a classic John Tydeman vocal and the clever – don’t say ‘ smartass; you’ll ruin the whole thing… – lyrics cascade from his lips. “Seems to me, the toleration, holds the key – yeh – it’s the very foundation of the dream situation…” and so on, to conclude that: “I don’t wanna be part of that tolerant nation.” It’s Barbara at their compositional and effusive best!

BARBARA’S MOST MUSICALLY ADVENTUROUS SONG YET

One thing that I particularly love is that those amazing musicians that make a Barbara show such an exhilarating experience also get a significant look-in. Guitarist Dean Llewellyn gets to stretch out on a soaring guitar solo that reminds listeners of exactly what he’s capable of. Bassist Jack Hosgood also chips in with an earthy, chunky bass solo.

Tolerant Nation is, quite possibly, Barbara’s most musically adventurous song yet, and it’s entertaining as hell. If, like us, your juices have started to flow at the very prospect of that new album (more about that in a second…) you’ll not want to miss Tolerant Nation.

And – Here it is! Watch John, Henry and the chaps perform Tolerant Nation in Paul Weller’s Black Barn Studio here:

THE LONG-AWAITED DEBUT ALBUM

Now – about that new album.

To be titled simply: Barbara, the album is scheduled for release on 5th September in vinyl, CD and digital formats. Amongst the album’s ten tracks will be three brand new songs – Tolerant Nation, Beryl and The Contented Commuter. They’ll sit alongside established favourites like These New Communications, A Perishing of Cherished Things, BRB and Mein Fraulein. We really can’t wait! New single, Tolerant Nation can be heard and purchased here and pre-orders for Barbara – The Album can be placed here.

DON’T FORGET THE GIGS!

At The Barrier isn’t alone in its admiration and enthusiasm for Barbara. Other, somewhat more influential, singers of the Barbara accolade include Paul Weller (“The Babs are Fab!”), Chris Difford (“Barbara are wonderful – we need more Barbara in our lives”) and Neil Hannon (“Really tight songwriting and very poptastic”). Why not join that august company?

And, don’t forget those gigs that Barbara will be playing throughout the summer and into the autumn, starting with their appearance on the Kashmir Café Stage at The Isle of Wight Festival on Saturday 21st June. Full details of the band’s forthcoming appearances can be found here.

Watch the official lyric video to Property-Owning Democracy – a track from the forthcoming album, with scenes filmed at last year’s Edinburgh Castle gig with Paul Weller – below:

Barbara online: Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / X (formerly Twitter) / TikTok / Bandcamp

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