South London-born and Atlanta-based, Puma Blue—the moniker of Jacob Allen—has released a surprise album, Antichamber, now available via Blue Flowers. Alongside unveiling the 13-track project, which follows January’s single “tapestry” (supported by Stereogum, Paste Magazine, and Northern Transmissions), Allen has announced three U.S. headline shows in May, set for New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
This new album marks a sonic departure for Puma Blue, with Allen stepping away from a full-band setup to explore obscure electronic and acoustic textures.
Written in the winter of 2024, Antichamber embodies a sense of solitude—a reflection of Allen’s time spent alone in his apartment, surrounded only by his thoughts and the cold woods outside.
Jacob Allen (Puma Blue) comments on Antichamber
“I decided to do something I hadn’t done in a long time—write a song just for myself, with no intention of anyone else hearing it. I picked up a nylon guitar I had bought for the Holy Waters tour, and suddenly, music spilled out like a journal entry.”
“That night, in the dark, I recorded a demo, with no one calling me to bed. Over the next month, I couldn’t stop—what started as a single, personal piece turned into nine songs and four ambient compositions, all reflecting this aching winter loneliness.”
“I eventually shared them with a couple of friends, and to my surprise, they insisted this was Puma Blue music. In a sort of daze, I decided to finish what I started. And that brings us here—to antichamber. I hope it finds you well, that you can take a moment with it, and that it speaks to you.”
Seeking to push the boundaries of his artistry, Allen (Puma Blue) found himself continuously creating new music following the release of Holy Waters and its subsequent headline tour, which saw him selling out venues in Tokyo, Mexico City, and beyond.
The songs that emerged felt like diary entries—intimate reflections shaped within the confines of a small room.
Evolving naturally from the delicate, intricate production of In Praise of Shadows (2021) and Holy Waters (2023), an unplugged, acoustic sound began pulling at the edges of his creativity, ultimately leading to the deeply personal world of Antichamber.
Check out the video for “tapestry” below:
You can stream / download the album HERE.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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