Parts of the album were written by lead singer Keith Murray whilst staying between a rented cottage in Athens, Georgia, and Miami Beach, Florida. Barbara was then recorded in New York, Los Angeles and London. The album marks the first recorded with new drummer Andy Burrows, formerly of Razorlight. After Burrows parted with Razorlight in March 2009, he joined We Are Scientists in August of the same year, scheduling recording sessions with them during autumn 2009.