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Finding Balu Brigada was sort of just a happy accident. The first song I heard was “Designer.” The funky beat immediately pulled me in, and now I never skip it when it comes on. 

From there, slowly but surely, I started adding more and more songs from Balu Brigada’s discography to my playlist. 

When their album “Portal” was released, I instantly fell in love with it. 

Balu Brigada is a band consisting of members Pierre Beasley and Henry Beasley. They are known for their indie-pop, rock, and alternative sound. They have a couple of popular songs, but I wanted to focus on their 2025 album “Portal.” 

“Portal” is the definition of “transcendent” to me. The title is quite fitting as the entire album feels like entering another world. Balu Brigada managed to create a really unique sound using a few simple elements: synths, electric guitar, bass, and drums. Each song blends perfectly into the next, creating an immersive experience for the listener. 

This album definitely deserves another listen. 

Some of my favorite songs from “Portal” by Balu Brigada include “So Cold,” “Sideways,” “Backseat,” “4:25,” “What Do We Ever Really Know?,” and “Butterfly Boy.” 

Starting with “So Cold,” the transition into this song is seamless. It is currently one of Balu Brigada’s most popular, rightfully so. The beat is really smooth and incredibly catchy. The vocals are a nice match for this kind of beat, sounding very clean. Those components make for a groovy track. 

“So Cold” is a great contender for a late-night drive. 

“Sideways” has a different feel to it. “Sideways” is more upbeat and vibrant, a good definition of what indie-pop is. The beat includes all of the elements, especially synths. The synths sound something akin to lasers, which surprisingly works really well for this track. This song is for sure one of my favorites because I associate it with summertime. 

Balu Brigada knew what they were doing, releasing this track in August.

Moving on to “Backseat,” this is another late-night drive song. The beat has this deep, gritty sound that entranced me. This was done by the distorted electric guitar, heavy bass, and video game-esque synths. There is also a rasp within the vocals that sets the tone of the song. 

One thing Balu Brigada does well in their music is breakdowns. A breakdown is when an artist strips away the main elements of the song/beat, singling out only a couple of components. In “Backseat,” the song begins to transition, focusing on the synths, bass, and the main instrumental. From there, the song begins to transform. The beat swells, then mellows out into a distorted electric guitar solo. 

The switch in sound was done so effortlessly, and it became an instant favorite for me.

“4:25” is another one of the brighter tracks, having a softer tone in comparison to the first half of the album. The track is less focused on the bass and electric guitar, but more so on the vocals. The tone of voice registers as more delicate, making the song vulnerable. 

My main reason for liking this track is the lyrics. “4:25” is a heartbreak song, focusing on the aftermath of how the relationship ended. More specifically, trying to get over things and act as if it doesn’t affect you. As I have said many times, I love it when I can feel what the artist is going through in the music. 

My favorite line from “4:25” by Balu Brigada is “It’s not that I lost all the love that we had, the less that I love, the better off that I am.”

Next on the list is “What Do We Ever Really Know?” This song is another song that feels vulnerable, but it’s masked by simple lyrics. This track seems fitting for a beach day, given its poppy guitar notes. Similar to “Sideways,” this song simply screams warm weather. 

“What Do We Ever Really Know?” is a happy song, yet it blends in with the rest easily. I took a liking to the lyrics, especially. They sing about not knowing what the future holds except the love they have for that special person. 

My favorite lines from “What Do We Ever Really Know?” by Bali Brigada are “What do we ever really know, my dear? If the world stopped spinning ‘round again, then I don’t care. If the globe is frozen by October, be my baby ‘til it’s over.”

Last but certainly not least is “Butterfly Boy.” This is for sure my number one favorite track on this entire album. Something about the beat speaks to me, resonating with my soul. The beautiful sound progression, combined with easy vocals, makes the song celestial. 

I have personally labeled “Butterfly Boy” as “five minutes of glory.” 

Overall, I am in love with “Portal” by Balu Brigada. The project takes listeners on a journey through such an otherworldly sound, which is the best kind of journey if you ask me. 

5/5 Spinnaker Sails. 

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