In Praise Of Shadows

Puma Blue's melancholic meld of organic live instrumentation and skeletal beats is set to reach its widest audience to date when he releases his debut album 'In Praise of Shadows' on February 5th. The hotly-tipped young Londoner has continued to earn plaudits by previewing the set with the recent tracks 'Velvet Leaves', 'Snowflower' and 'Opiate'. 'Opiate' encapsulates everything that Puma Blue does so well. His voice, simultaneously delicate and affecting, expresses the poetic reflection of his lyrics. It's set to a stark production which adorns a raw beat with the warmth of guitar, bass and sax, creating a rare hybrid of R&B, lo-fi pop and modern jazz.

The three singles are indicative of the refined maturity and lucidity in the way in which Allen deals with his demons and celebrates beauty across his debut album. A blossoming romance has informed his evolving songcraft and helped him to conquer his insomnia. Meanwhile, his burgeoning career has forced the previously bedroom-bound songwriter out into the open, driving him to find new perspectives on loss, love and everything inbetween. It's a striking listen destined to take Allen to exciting new places. The Londoner's ambitions for the record are simple. "I just hope it can be useful or soothing for some people," he says, adding that maybe it can help out others, on their insomniac nights." Soulful, vulnerable and full of beauty, whatever you don't do - don't sleep on Puma Blue.