After spending a summer captivating crowds across Europe and the UK, Belgian indie sensation BLUAI is set to unveil their debut album, Save It For Later, on 8th November 2024. This long-anticipated release arrives alongside the delicate, emotionally resonant single, ‘Better, I Swear’, a track that explores themes of regret and personal growth with haunting beauty. Featuring guest vocals from Intergalactic Lovers’ Lara Chedraoui, the song echoes BLUAI’s knack for creating deeply personal narratives that resonate universally. The video, directed by Ante Pask, portrays a young skater repeatedly failing her trick on a treadmill – a fitting metaphor for navigating life’s endless obstacles – until she finds support, paralleling the song’s message about leaning on loved ones through life’s challenges.
BLUAI, fronted by songwriter Catherine Smet, alongside drummer Mo Govaerts and bassist Caitlin Talbut, collaborated with producer Willem Ardui on Save It For Later. The album takes listeners on a cinematic journey, blending country-pop and Americana with BLUAI’s distinct indie-folk sound. The influence of Anneke D’Hollander’s American photo series helped shape the album’s cinematic textures, where the landscape of Smet’s Belgian youth becomes a sepia-toned vision reminiscent of the American South. This atmospheric record, punctuated by lap steel and Nashville-tuned guitars, channels the nostalgic energy of youth—akin to a soundtrack from a Greta Gerwig film, capturing the quiet, introspective moments that define young adulthood.
Here, BLUAI takes us track-by-track through Save It For Later, giving us a glimpse into the stories, serendipitous jam sessions, and honest reflections that fuelled each song.
My Kinda Woman
The idea for this opener emerged from our frustration with self-criticism. We realised how much young women struggle with judgmental self-perception, so we flipped the script to celebrate, not criticise. The track’s big ending? Completely spontaneous. During a one-take guitar session, our producer’s feedback went wild—he even shouted, “I don’t have it under control!” as it all spiralled, capturing a raw, powerful moment.
Sad Boy, Angry Boy
This track went through countless transformations on stage before we took it to the studio, only to find it didn’t feel right. So, we scrapped everything and started over. There’s magic in embracing spontaneity, and this jam ended up being about Cath’s brother, who had a hard time growing up, creating tensions in our family. This song was a way to reflect, forgive, and reconnect.
Ceiling Stars
Writing by the sea brought out the essence of this song—about how someone can see the best in you, even when you can’t see it in yourself. The lapsteel and rubber bridge guitar defined its sound, and the backing vocals gave it that needed lift at the end. It’s one of those tracks that’s quietly powerful.
Not The One
Our first jam session with producer Willem Ardui sparked this track. Cath was wrestling with doubts about a friendship, realising that sometimes you can’t fix everything for others. The lyrics flowed effortlessly, capturing that strange place where friendships and high expectations clash.
Better, I Swear
One of our earliest inspirations came from watching Intergalactic Lovers live. Having their lead, Lara Chedraoui, on the track was a dream. ‘Better, I Swear’ touches on disappointment and regret—of letting down the people who mean the most. The experimentation in recording was intense; we slowed down tape layers of violins and percussion, giving the song a unique texture.
Teeth
A short but punchy tune, ‘Teeth’ sketches the uncertainty of figuring yourself out in your twenties. Cath was inspired by a friend’s quarter-life crisis, and the song came together with Caitlin’s piano notes, improvised in just a few takes. The rubber bridge guitar leads the melody, keeping it simple and sweet.
Worms
This song is about the weirdness of childhood and the body. Lyrics like “I used to split worms in two to see if they could live” dive into that strange stage of not quite feeling at home in your own skin. We layered a sampled beat and added a groovy bassline from Caitlin, ending with a guitar solo that signified moving on from past confusion and embracing wonder.
In Over My Head
This track’s raw banjo and backing vocals represent the feeling of being overwhelmed by your own thoughts. The chorus was a release; we all piled into the recording room and let loose, singing with everything we had. It’s a song about the endless cycle of worry, but it carries a sense of breaking free.
Keep Up With The Boys
A tribute to Cath’s family and a nostalgic look at childhood, growing up around boys. For the first time, we experimented with soundscapes, recording Cath’s breath on a run for the bridge, then layering guitars and vocals for an explosive chorus. It’s a song that celebrates those who shaped you and the memories that stay with you.
Save It For Later
We saved this track for last, both in the studio and on the album. Cath was improvising on the piano, and the lyrics just spilled out in a stream of consciousness. It’s about realising that your family and those you love are sometimes strangers to you. This closing track hints at what’s to come, with an open-ended feeling that mirrors the bittersweetness of growing up.
All photos: Anneke D’Hollander
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- Album Breakdown
- Belgian Bands
- BLUAI
- Debut Album
- Indie Folk
- New music
- Save It For Later
- Women in Music
