New music: Pete Ham tribute, Sam Barber, Carmen Ratti Band

In this column, I review three outstanding new audio titles available now.

Artists: Mike Delevante, Pezband, Sharp Pins, Bill Lloyd, more
Title: Just Look Inside The Cover — Songs Of Pete Ham (Y&T Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Guided by Voices

Tell me more: Beloved Welsh singer-songwriter Pete Ham was only 27 when he tragically took his own life on April 24, 1975. Despite his death at such a young age, the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of Badfinger left an incredible legacy and has undeniably influenced countless artists over the past 50 years. Now a special tribute album titled Just Look Inside The Cover — Songs Of Pete Ham further celebrates Ham's timeless talent; this unique album features songs that were only previously released as home demos and never recorded by Badfinger. The songs are treasures to be sure, and those Ham-penned compositions are bolstered by a wide range of artists who bring magic across the 22-track collection. Early standouts on the marathon-length tribute include the melodic opener "A Lonely Day" performed by Mike Delevante, Pezband's wonderfully Beatlesque "Tulip," Eric Dover's rollicking "Leaving On A Midnight Train," Bill Lloyd's luxurious "Our Song," Rob Bonfiglio's soaring harmonies-filled "Hand in Hand" and Mary Karizen's genre-defying delight "Dawn." Fans of Badfinger will love The Fraternals' anthemic power pop sortie "Catherine Cares." The collection's parade of treasures continues via Tobin Sprout's tender "Keep Your Country Tidy," Humbert's affecting "Little Mary," The Parlophonics' joyful "Make Me Feel Good," Richard Barone's mellifluous "I'm Only Human," Mark Healey's wistful "It Doesn't Really Matter" and Ron Griffiths' soulful "Take Good Care of My Baby." Another top-flight track on the disc is Bob Jackson's "Just Look Inside The Cover," a track that could have been a hit in the 1970s or '80s, and is deserving of airplay aplenty in 2026. Released on June 19, Just Look Inside The Cover is one of the greatest and most essential collections of early 2026. Information: ytmusiconline.com. 

Artist: Sam Barber
Title: Broken View (Atlantic Outpost)
You might like if you enjoy: Noah Kahan, Tyler Childers

Tell me more: Sam Barber's second studio album, Broken View, finds the rising young Americana singer-songwriter exploring the world around him with uncanny depth and artistry. Only 23, Barber has quickly become one of his generation's most acclaimed artists; last month he won "Breakthrough Country Artist" at the 2026 American Music Awards. Broken View is an album whose songs have a palpable power that hit their mark with a single listen and Barber's authentic vocals fully bolster the 13 originals on the disc. The biting aptly-titled opener "Borrowed Time," introspective roots rocker "Far Past" examining an imperfect relationship, emotional "Just A Kid," lost love-minded title track, yearning "All For You," emotional "Satellite" and gorgeous "I Will Follow" are among the stellar songs on the outstanding album. Barber will spend much of the rest of 2026 on tour, and upcoming dates include at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on July 18, and at Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, AZ on Dec. 11. Information: sambarbermusic.com.

Artist: Carmen Ratti Band
Title: Come to Me (MoMojo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Janiva Magness

Tell me more: San Francisco Bay Area's Carmen Ratti Band featuring singer Jill Dineen has released the blues album Come to Me, an 11-track disc that showcases the troupe's energetic blend of electric blues and roots music. Formed in 2018, the ensemble artfully infuses gospel, soul, rock blues and even funk into material on the disc. The album features a slew of great tracks including the driving soul gem "Get In Line," the nuanced ballad "Come to Me," Southern-styled blues sortie "I Can See," gospel ballad "Blessing In The Blues," Southern rock-tinged "Coming Down" and R&B "Pretty Good Man." In addition to Carmen Ratti (vocals, guitar) and Dineen (lead vocals), the band includes Tony "Macaroni" Lufrano (organ, piano), Steve Hazlewood (bass) and Randy Hayes (drums). Information: carmenrattiband.com.

Robert Kinsler

Sam Barber wins Breakthrough Country Artist at the 2026 American Music Awards

Congratulations to acclaimed singer-songwriter Sam Barber on this well deserved honor. Make sure to catch the rising artist on tour this year too...Robert Kinsler

Photo credit: AMAs SAM BARBER WINS BREAKTHROUGH COUNTRY ARTIST AT THE 2026 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

SOPHOMORE ALBUM BROKEN VIEW RELEASED TO CRITICAL ACCLAIM; EXTENSIVE TOUR SET FOR 2026! May 26, 2026—Last night, multi-platinum artist Sam Barber won Breakthrough Country Artist at the 2026 American Music Awards.  The accolade continues a breakout year for Barber, who released his sophomore album, Broken View, earlier this year via Atlantic Outpost (stream/purchase HERE) and performed an “incredibly moving set” (The Desert Sun) at Stagecoach last month.  Co-written and co-produced by Barber and Joe Becker (“Indigo,” “Straight and Narrow”) 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. Already receiving critical attention, All Country News praises, “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,” while Whiskey Riff calls the new 13-song collection “incredibly impressive.” An acclaimed live performer, Barber is currently on his extensive “The American Route Tour” with confirmed stops at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre, Boston’s Leader Bank Pavilion (two nights), New York’s The Rooftop at Pier 17 (two nights), and a sold-out show at Morrison’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, among many others. See below for complete tour itinerary. 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 Bozeman, Montana. With more than 3.4 billion Restless Mind, received widespread critical 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 to be uttered from his lips." The album earned RIAA Gold certification and features standout singles, including "Straight and Narrow" and Platinum-certified "Indigo (featuring Avery Anna)," the latteer of which has amassed moree than 728 million global streams and earned Barber a top 40 placement on Billboard's Hot 100. To see Barber's upcoming tour dates, visit SamBarberMusic.com.