What is The Blue Algorithm?

The Blue Algorithm is an independent record label and creative studio founded by Melissa Geurts in New York. It releases music, develops apps, and publishes writing about creativity, technology, and feelings that don't have names yet. Everything it makes is built on Emotional UX: the principle that technology should serve nervous systems, not overwhelm them.

What is Emotional UX?

Emotional UX is a design philosophy developed by Melissa Geurts that centers the felt experience of technology. It asks: how does this feel in someone's body? Does it support or deplete? It prioritizes nervous system safety, somatic honesty, and emotional mirroring over engagement metrics and productivity. The full Emotional UX Field Guide is published at melissageurts.com/the-emotional-ux-manifesto.

Who is Melissa Geurts?

Melissa Geurts is a Canadian electronic musician and Group Executive Creative Director at Good Housekeeping. She makes dark synth-pop under the name melissageurts with over 800,000 streams across 150 countries. She sings in English, French, and Dutch. She is the founder of The Blue Algorithm and creator of the Emotional UX Field Guide.

What is maintenance mode?

maintenance mode is the second album from melissageurts, released March 27, 2026 on The Blue Algorithm. 13 tracks sung in English, French, and Dutch. Dark synth-pop about the emotional limbo after healing — the quiet, boring middle where nothing explodes and nothing resolves. Available on all streaming platforms and on limited edition cobalt blue vinyl.

What kind of music does Melissa Geurts make?

Melissa Geurts makes dark synth-pop and glitch-pop described as nervous system anthems. Her music has been compared to Boy Harsher and the darkest side of Lady Gaga. Critics have called it a glitch-pop exorcism and emotional damage you can dance to.

What else does The Blue Algorithm make besides music?

The Blue Algorithm develops apps rooted in emotional technology, publishes a newsletter on creativity and AI at thebluealgorithm.substack.com, and produces the Audio Spells podcast on Spotify. It also offers Emotional UX consulting.

How can I contact The Blue Algorithm?

You can reach The Blue Algorithm at melissa@thebluealgorithm.com for press, sync licensing, Emotional UX consulting, collaboration, or general inquiries.

SoundVille: 5 stars

Mar 27

Written By Melissa Geurts

5 stars. "The album about feeling fine that will absolutely destroy you." Called it "one of the most precise portraits of post-psychotherapy life that pop music has ever dared to draw." Said there's "a warmth and understanding in the electronics that is often missed in this genre." Reviewer said they'd show the album to everyone they know.

reviewpressmaintenance mode@melissageurtsmelissa geurtsenglish

Melissa Geurts

SoundVille: 5 stars

York Calling: "gut-wrenchingly dance-worthy"

Plastic Magazine: "she builds music out of that tension"