Indie pop trio Blue Healer’s debut album is composed of the most eclectic synthpop you could ever find alongside a brilliant contribution to songwriting; nothing less was expected from the music hub of Austin, their hometown. Although this is only their first album, released one year after the band formed in 2015, the range and consistency of sounds heard on this record would be something you would expect from a band many album cycles into their career. Blue Healer know what they’re doing, and they’re doing it well.
One of the band’s main goals was to make music fun and enjoyable, to be able to enjoy music without guilt. They’ve done this very successfully, as seen on songs such as “Like Diamonds”, which is a fast-paced, electronic-sounding song with a rhythm that is all too catchy and perhaps reminiscent of bands like LCD Soundsystem. The same theme is seen on “O-Y-O”, a more relaxed, but still insanely catchy, song that uses similar tones of synth. This song switches from a folky tune to more of a signature, advocating pop sound in its chorus, which is very appealing to the listener.
On the other hand, the band can appeal to pop and rock on the same record, which many others struggle to do well; finding a balance between the two can be difficult, especially on a debut album, when many are not sure what to label their sound. Their soft, indie rock side can be seen on songs like the closing track “I.Y.F.L.D”; between the singer’s passionate voice, the intensity of the drums, and the rhythm of the guitar, the rock influence is more apparent than synth on this one. This song almost reminds me of bands like Kings of Leon but with an updated, modern twist. The combination of the two sounds, rock and synthpop, can be seen especially on “Song of the Stranger”, which incorporates many elements into a single track.
Blue Healer is definitely a band to watch out for, as they can easily dominate the indie rock scene in the blink of an eye. Not only is their debut album extremely developed and matured for a band so new, but all the elements in their music are so intact as well. Every instrument, every sound, is in sync as it should be, creating a debut record that is sure to make its mark.
Blue Healer’s self-titled album is out now on iTunes and Spotify via Culture Collide. See their tour dates below.
Upcoming Shows
* = w/ The Ballroom Thieves
Sep 10 – Shreveport, LA @ Brass Monkey
Sep 13 – Conway, AR @ Bear’s Den Pizza
Sep 14 – Fayetteville, AR @ Backspace
Sep 15 – Memphis, TN @ Lafayette’s Music Room
Sep 16 – Florence, AL @ 116 E. Mobile
Sep 17 – Mobile, AL @ Merry Widow
Sep 22 – Athens, GA @ Flicker Bar w/ Culture Culture
Sep 23 – Chattanooga, TN @ JJ’s Bohemia
Sep 24 – Tuscaloosa, AL @ Green Bar
Oct 8 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Music Festival
Oct 12 – Roanoke, VA @ Martin’s Downtown
Oct 13 – Charlotte, NC @ Evening Muse*
Oct 14 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5*
Oct 15 – Charleston, SC @ Royal American*
Oct 19 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement*
Oct 21 – Alexandria, LA @ Spirits, Food, & Friends*
Oct 22 – New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf*
Oct 27 – Austin, TX @ Parish* (Album Release Show)
Oct 28 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada* (Album Release Show)
Oct 29 – Houston, TX @ Continental Club* (Album Release Show)
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