Color Blind by John Kolar is a refreshing and impressively self-contained debut album that showcases the multifaceted talents of its creator. Released on November 28, 2025, this indie project from the West Virginia-born, Pittsburgh-based musician (who also serves as an audio engineering professor at Ball State University) is a true one-man effort: John wrote, produced, recorded, and mixed every track himself.
Dropping one single per month throughout 2025 as a lead-up strategy was a smart, modern rollout that built anticipation organically through his growing social media presence, where he shares bite-sized lessons on music theory, production, and performance Genre-wise, Color Blind lives up to its billing as a "blend of various genres," pulling from rock, pop, country, and jazz influences without ever feeling forced or scattered.
Kolar's background in Music & Technology (from Carnegie Mellon) shines through in the crisp production—clean yet warm, with thoughtful layering that rewards repeated listens on good headphones or speakers. As someone who teaches mixing and acoustics, it's no surprise the sound is polished and professional, but it never sacrifices personality for technical perfection. The album's strength lies in its versatility and introspection. Tracks shift seamlessly between upbeat, guitar-driven rockers with catchy hooks, smoother pop-leaning moments, subtle country twang in the rhythms, and occasional jazzy flourishes in chord progressions or vocal delivery. It's the kind of record that feels personal—like a musical diary from an artist who's spent years honing his craft in academia, bands (he's part of indie pop duo Kiolo and indie rock group Mother of Earl), and live gigs.
The title Color Blind seems to nod to themes of seeing beyond surface differences, embracing nuance, or perhaps the blurred lines between genres and emotions, and the songwriting reflects that thoughtful, open-minded approach. Standout moments include the infectious energy of the singles that paved the way, which balance accessibility with enough musical depth to keep things interesting.
Vocally, Kolar is confident and expressive—multi-instrumental prowess (guitar, piano, bass, vocals) gives the whole thing a cohesive, lived-in feel.If you're into indie artists who wear their influences proudly but carve out their own space—think a more rootsy, educated take on artists like Noah Kahan, Jason Isbell, or even touches of Jack Johnson with a jazzier edge—Color Blind is worth your time.
It's not revolutionary in pushing boundaries, but it's honest, well-executed, and deeply enjoyable. In a debut, especially a self-produced one, that's a huge win. A solid, promising start from a clearly talented multi-hyphenate. Looking forward to seeing (and hearing) where Kolar takes things next, especially with live shows continuing into 2026. Stream it on Spotify (where Kolar has a growing listener base) and give it a spin!
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