Back catalogue: All genres

Review: In Praise Of Shadows is an essay on Japanese aesthetics by the Japanese author and novelist Jun'ichiro Tanizaki. It is also the name of Puma Blue's debut album, and one that won widespread critical acclaim. Following its release comes this new collection of b-sides and live versions that is sure to win fans over. Like the original album, it showcases his next-level production style with plenty of bedroom intimacy as the tunes are taken from rehears for the live shows in 2021. This is a great way to experience these sounds with a full band arrangement.

Review: Puma Blue, the project of South-London-born, Atlanta-based Jacob Allen, moves in a starkly different direction with this latest release. Stripping away the layered trip-hop, jazz, and electronica influences of previous works, he now focuses on a more direct and vulnerable form of songwriting. With just his guitar and voice, Allen crafts an album that feels intimate, raw, and deeply personal. Each track is a careful balance of simplicity and complexity. On 'Tapestry', the narrative unfolds like a dense, aching reflection, while 'Hotel Room' captures a moment of quiet melancholy with an almost confessional tone. In contrast, 'In the Absence of You' is stark in its honesty, delivering a minimalist sentiment that resonates with painful clarity. The absence of the full band setup places the weight of emotion solely on Allen's shoulders, allowing his vocal delivery and guitar work to shine. The result is a profoundly affecting listen, one that's less about expansive sound and more about the intimate space between notes, where every breath and pause feels significant. It's a deeply personal exploration of solitude and longing, executed with haunting simplicity.