New music: The dB's, The Church, Florence + the Machine

Concert recordings from The dB's and Florence + the Machine, as well as the latest studio album from The Church are featured in my column this week.

Artist: The dB's

Title: Cycles Per Second: US Tour 2024 (Propeller Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The dB's, R.E.M., Big Star, XTC 

Tell me more: One of the year's great live albums is out now courtesy of the dB's' Cycles Per Second: US Tour 2024. Featuring selections captured by the beloved band's four original members (bassist Gene Holder, guitarist Peter Holsapple, drummer Will Rigby and guitarist Chris Stamey) and special guest keyboardist Wes Lachot on a 12-date sold-out tour, Cycles Per Second: US Tour 2024 was originally issued as an abbreviated "highlights" Record Store Day 2026 exclusive splatter vinyl release. This essential collection — the band's first-ever live album — is now out in an expanded version on audio CD and showcases the tunefully sumptuous alternative rock and power pop of the American band via 22 terrific tracks. The explosive opener "Neverland," Beatlesque "Dynamite," the Baroque pop foray "Lonely Is," exuberant "Love Is For Lovers," experimental prog-rock-tinged title track, melodic "Molly Says" and propulsive "(I Thought) You Wanted to Know" are early standouts on the title. The tracks on the second half of the title showcase the expansive sound of the New York City-spawned troupe via the rollicking garage rocker "That Time Is Gone," alt rocker "The Fight," joyful harmonies-filled "I'm in Love" and genre-defying "In Spain." Information: propellersoundrecordings.com.

Artist: The Church

Title: Lacuna (Cooking Vinyl Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Church, The Cure, David Bowie

Tell me more: Five decades into a celebrated run, Australian heroes The Church continue to fire on all cylinders. As evidenced on the newly-released 17-track Lacuna, the six-member psychedelic dream-pop troupe prevails while challenging themselves and their fans in ways that are increasingly rare in the world of popular music. An immersive and compelling listen, Lacuna kicks off with "Lumbini Grove," which stretches nearly seven minutes in length; the track is fueled by a two-minute cinematic instrumental opening with atmospheric sonics before expanding its arc with an undeniable chorus, stylish musicianship and frontman Steve Kilbey's rich baritone vocals. Other stellar tracks found on the first half of the disc include the Americana-tinged "Cowboy," lovely "Ferrari," bewitching "Sky River," euphoric "Have You Been Here Before," and buoyant "Sky and Hill." The shimmering "I Want It," luxurious "The Place of Eternal Spring," aptly-titled "Rapture" and deeply affecting piano-anchored "Forever" are among the songs that keep the magic flowing on the album's final stretch. In addition to singer-bassist/founding member Kilbey (who sounds as great as ever), The Church includes drummer-producer Tim Powles, guitarist Ian Haug, multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Cain, guitarist Ashley Naylor and drummer Nicholas Meredith. Lacuna is available on double red LP in a gatefold sleeve, on audio CD and digital. Information: thechurchband.com.

Artist: Florence + the Machine

Title: Everybody Scream Tour Live (Republic Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Garbage, Florence + the Machine, Kate Bush

Tell me more: The eagerly-awaited Everybody Scream Tour Live is a full-length concert recording that finds Florence + The Machine delivering inspired versions of a parade of the British troupe's already-classic originals. The songs grapple powerfully with themes such as faith, love, hope and romantic loss with depth and artistry forcefully enhanced by Florence Welch's signature soprano and consistently-zealous arrangements. The defiant art rocker "Which Witch," unsettling "Seven Devils," otherworldly "Big God," rapturous "Dog Days Are Over" that showcases Welch's incredible vocals, soaring "Spectrum (Say My Name)" and an anthemic symphonic-styled take on her 2011 hit "Shake It Out" are among the emotionally-charged gems on this fantastic 22-track collection. Information: florenceandthemachine.net.

Robert Kinsler

Sam Barber’s new EP “Outlier” out now + surprise-releases second EP “Dyin’ Times”

A super-size, nice surprise going into the weekend. New music from Sam Barber...Robert Kinsler

SAM BARBER’S NEW EP OUTLIER OUT NOW + SURPRISE-RELEASES SECOND EP DYIN’ TIMES "The American Route Tour" Underway - includes stop in Phoenix on Dec. 11, 2026 November 6, 2026—Sam Barber, the multi-platinum artist and rising star, shares his new EP, Outlier, today via Atlantic Outpost; listen HERE. Following the project’s release this morning, Barber just surprised fans with an additional EP, Dyin’ Times, out now; listen HERE. Produced by Joe Becker (“Indigo,” “Straight and Narrow”), Outlier and Dyin’ Times feature a combined ten new tracks and continue a standout year for the rising star, who won Breakthrough Country Artist at the 2026 American Music Awards and is in the midst of his extensive “The American Route Tour.” See below for complete tour itinerary. Barber has rapidly risen from selling out small clubs to packing iconic venues like New York’s Pier 17 (two nights), Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, where he made his sold-out headline debut this past summer. Watch the concert film HERE. The tour follows the release of Barber’s sophomore album, Broken View, earlier this spring (stream/purchase HERE). Co-written and co-produced by Barber and Becker, with additional songs co-produced with Aaron Dessner (Taylor Swift, Noah Kahan) at Long Pond Studio, Broken View serves as a sweeping and introspective reflection on life’s complexities, exploring themes of love, loss and self-discovery. Released to critical acclaim, Billboard praises, “he continues building a musical body of work that explores the complexities of romance, the gravity of loss and the shifting perspectives that come with maturation,” while All Country News declares, “a sophomore record that doesn’t just meet expectations, it stares them down and walks right past them…Fully realized, unmistakable, and impossible to ignore.” One of the genre’s fastest-rising and “most in-demand artists” (Rolling Stone), Barber has built a devoted global audience through deeply personal songwriting and an unfiltered perspective that resonates across generations. Raised on a farm in southeast Missouri, Barber began playing music as a teenager after picking up his great-grandfather’s Gibson guitar. Guided by his commitment to making music on his own terms, Barber has risen rapidly as a generational voice in country music and now lives in Montana. Photo credit: Chad Wadsworth With over 3.4 billion global streams, Barber’s 2024 debut album, Restless Mind, received widespread acclaim, with Grammy.com declaring, “The double LP shows the true breadth of his artistry, which is grounded in raw, narrative songwriting…and gritty, spare production” and Country Central raving, “a voice poised for stardom, there’s not a message too powerful or radical to be uttered from his lips.”  The album earned RIAA Gold certification and features standout singles, including 2x Platinum-certified “Straight and Narrow” and Platinum-certified “Indigo (Feat. Avery Anna),” the latter of which has amassed over 828 million global streams and earned Barber a top 40 placement on Billboard’s Hot 100. Barber has shared stages with icons such as Bruce Springsteen and Ed Sheeran, performed on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show and CBS Saturday Morning’s “Saturday Sessions,” and had his song “Tear Us Apart” featured on the soundtrack for the Twisters movie. THE OUTLIER TRACK LIST 1. Outlier 2. If I May 3. Turn The Light Off 4. Good Faith 5. Northern Weeds 6. Settle In DYIN’ TIMES TRACK LIST 1. Dyin’ Times 2. Dark Sky 3. Yellow Diamonds 4. War SAM BARBER CONFIRMED TOUR DATES December 3—St. Louis, MO—Chaifetz Arena* December 4—Independence, MO—Cable Dahmer Arena* December 5—Grand Prairie, TX—Texas Trust CU Theatre* December 10—Albuquerque, NM—Revel Entertainment Center* December 11—Phoenix, AZ—Arizona Financial Theatre* December 12—Las Vegas, NV—The Theater at Virgin Hotels* March 31—Perth, Australia—Ice Cream Factory* April 3—Melbourne, Australia—Margaret Court Arena* April 4—Melbourne, Australia—Margaret Court Arena* April 6—Adelaide, Australia—Adelaide Entertainment Centre* (SOLD OUT) April 9—Sydney, Australia—Hordern Pavilion* April 10—Sydney, Australia—Hordern Pavilion* April 11—Newcastle, Australia—Newcastle Foreshore* April 13—Brisbane, Australia—Riverstage* April 14—Brisbane, Australia—Riverstage* April 17—Townsville, Australia—Country Fest Queensland May 1—Simpsonville, SC—Greenville Country Music Festival May 14—Albuquerque, NM—Boots In The Park July 16—Whitefish, MT—Under The Big Sky Festival August 6—Detroit Lakes, MN—WE Fest August 13—Sikeston, MO—Sikeston Rodeo *with special guests Josiah & The Bonnevilles and Wild Horses www.sambarbermusic.com