“Better, I Swear” is a single from Bluai’s enchanting debut album “Save It For Later”, an indie-folk song that is a dialogue between loved ones. It tells a story of dealing with feelings of disappointment and regret. Of not being there for someone when they need it most. But ultimately you want to make amends and the ones closest to you come back around.
For this song Bluai decided to collaborate with Lara Chedraoui, actress, presenter and singer of the acclaimed Belgian indiepop band Intergalactic Lovers. One of the band’s very first gigs was a support show for her group and Lara has been an inspiration and guiding light ever since. It was only right to have her beautiful voice on the album, and “Better, I Swear”, with its hook that just grabs your attention, is the perfect song for that.
On their debut album “Save It For Later”, BLUAI embarks on a road trip through the sonic landscapes where Big Thief, Pinegrove, Haim, and Alabama Shakes reside. After winning the three leading Belgian music awards (Humo's Rock Rally, Studio Brussel’s De Nieuwe Lichting, and Sound Track), the trio is expanding its horizons.
“Save It For Later” is a record like a Polaroid picture. Songwriter Catherine Smet captures the memories of her youth in lyrics that carry a perfume of Americana, country pop, and indie folk. The band joined forces with producer Willem Ardui (blackwave.) for “Save It For Later”. Their instruments were expanded with banjo and lap steel. Engineer Tobie Speleman received 'Nashville tuning' as a briefing. BLUAI thus shifts the focus from indie rock to Americana and breaks open the band's frame of reference.
Their 100th performance was at Rock Werchter, Belgium's largest festival, opening the mainstage. A lot of festivals followed over the summer and with spots on showcases as Eurosonic and Reeperbahn, Bluai is setting foot on the British Isles for a string of gigs in the UK.
The video, directed by Ante Pask, intertwines two story lines. A young skater is trying to land a trick on her own on a treadmill, stuck in a never ending ratrace. She fails time after time until she finally manages to land the trick with support of her peers. Meanwhile we see the band and guest vocalist Lara going through the different highs and lows of a friendship or relationship. “The video brought together a group of female skaters of all ages and backgrounds,” the band remark. “They created a wholesome community supporting each other on and off camera.”