John Kolar’s “Color Blind” Is a Little Bit of Everything

We all sometimes do it, thus we judge a book by it cover even before opening it. We don’t give it a chance, and straight up by the title we make our assumptions. Well John Kolar’s “Color Blind” feels like that notebook you find on a friend’s coffee table. It looks casual at first, you put it down, then the title just lures you and then you open it and realize a lot of thought went into every page.

Kolar comes out of Morgantown, West Virginia, and you can hear that small-town calm mixed with a brain that never turns off. He spent a year dropping one song a month, which may sound exhausting, but the album never feels rushed. The 10 track album just has all the moods, and has a track for everyone. I love the blend of genres here, it brings variety to the album. The moment you hit that play button, you realize how much thoughts went into it, making the album feel lived, like someone who enjoys the process and maybe overthinks it a little. Now sometimes we overlook it, but the album cover really does speaks a lot, and that’s why it difficult to ignore that book you saw on your friends cover table, cos its cover was alluring and before you realized, you were hooked from the very first page, just like this album. The artwork is like a bunch of pieces coming together into one picture, which goes on to show how the songs do complement each other on the album, making it nearly impossible to skip even one song.

Now the title track “Color Blind” sets the mood calmly. Those piano notes puts you in a mood of curiosity, then gets you glued, wanting for more and you’re taken into a whole new atmosphere of invitation with the beats dropping in, then you begin to ask all those confusing questions. I love how gentle but confident it feels, makes it as Kolar saying, “This is me. Please don’t squint too hard.” The song moves calmly, doesn’t shout yet pierces and sets you free in those confusions.

The next track after the opener is “I Don’t Care“. This one has got an attitude, but not the dramatic kind. It’s more of a shrug than a fist pump and something that keeps the the song relaxed and honest is those country elements in there. It automatically makes the song your favorite, it Soo calm and inviting, like someone who truly stopped caring but still showed up on time. It doesn’t try to capture your attention, it earns it and man, you immediately fall in love with it.

Moving on is a song that doesn’t shy away from it roots. It gives of vibes of something that feels very familiar, like something you’ve actually seen or do before and now you just “Watching Reruns” of it. I love how it captures that strange comfort of doing the same thing again because real life feels louder than usual. It’s warm, and has this nostalgic feel about it that makes me love it more, and also perfect for zoning out while doing dishes or avoiding emails.

This next track is ma personal favorite, this one starts beautifully intriguing with its bluesy-country blends sending chills down your spines. “Bunny Rabbit” sits you in one corner and also takes you to the field where smiles pops up, and memories of something good playing again and again, making you feel it’s warm and charm. It’s a bit playful and unexpected. And I love the beats Soo much, it relaxes you in the afternoon and let’s you feel alive.

The fifth track on the album titled “Fake ID” brings a sharper edge to the album, there’s this sense of growing pains and pretending to be someone you’re not yet. The song feels youthful without being cheesy. It remembers awkward phases so you don’t have to relive them alone again.

With tracks like “Rewards Card”, “Tuesday”, “Skipping Stones” and “Tie My Shoes” there’s a track for everyone and that makes it special. Each track doesn’t shy away from the other, yet they all carry their own cross but in cohesion. The the closing track “Pouco a Pouco” does it job perfectly. Life is crazy and sometimes we can’t jump from 0-100 in one go, so why not take it step by step, little by little and see where it gets you. The song feels patient and thoughtful, like a deep breath at the end of a long day. It wraps the album gently instead of slamming the door.

Overall, “Color Blind” feels honest, smart, and unforced. John Kolar sounds like someone who loves music, teaching, growing vegetables, and figuring things out as he goes. This album doesn’t try to impress you. It just sits down next to you and starts talking. And honestly, that’s refreshing. So go ahead and enjoy something refreshing this holidays.

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