John Kolar’s debut album, Color Blind, released on November 28, 2025, is a genre-blending journey that captures the indie artist’s wide-ranging influences, from rock and pop to country and jazz. Built over the course of a year with a single release each month, the album showcases Kolar’s thoughtful songwriting, melodic sensibility, and knack for blending varied styles into a cohesive and engaging experience.
The album opens with the title track “Color Blind,” immediately setting the tone with introspective lyrics and smooth harmonies. Tracks like “I Don’t Care” and “Watching Reruns” highlight Kolar’s pop-rock sensibilities, featuring catchy hooks that linger without feeling forced. On the more playful side, songs like “Bunny Rabbit” and “Fake ID” offer charm and whimsy, while “Rewards Card” and “Tuesday” provide reflective, mid-tempo moments that showcase his lyrical depth. Kolar’s ability to move seamlessly between styles is especially apparent in “Skipping Stones” and “Tie My Shoes,” where subtle jazz and country elements add texture without disrupting the album’s flow. The closing track, “Pouco a Pouco,” leaves listeners on a contemplative note, emphasizing patience and gradual growth, mirroring the album’s careful, month-by-month creation. Visually, the album is presented as a mixed-media collage, with each single featuring a close-up of a section, and the full album artwork revealing the complete composition. This artistic approach mirrors the music itself—diverse, layered, and meticulously crafted.
Kolar’s background as an audio engineering professor at Ball State University is evident in the polished production, balanced mixes, and thoughtful arrangements across the album. Beyond technical skill, the music carries warmth, personality, and authenticity, drawing from Kolar’s personal experiences and creative explorations. Color Blind is a standout debut that reflects both John Kolar’s musical versatility and his dedication to craftsmanship. It’s an album that rewards repeated listening, offering fresh details and subtle surprises with each play. It’s intimate, approachable, and distinctly personal, yet wide-ranging enough to appeal to a broad audience.
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