These tracks are wondrous, brittle things, ready to fall apart when you stop believing in them, and perfectly straddle the line between feeling unfinished and feeling never-ending, combing the ambiguity of night with the confidence of day.

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8mo

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Clash

The 14-track record traverses a winding road of insomnia, wandering dreams, sombre days and lustful nights.

8mo

At 14 tracks long, In Praise of Shadows feels very much like a clear statement of intent from Allen, and we’re left salivating at the thought of what’s going to come next.

7mo

At a time where many encumber sleepless nights and intense self-reflection, Puma Blue’s debut may well provide a brief moment of relief for those lost in the darkness.

7mo

A lot of Puma Blue’s music may have been born out of insomnia, but 'In Praise of Shadows' is ready-made to soothe your mind and sing you to sleep.

7mo

With In Praise of Shadows, Puma Blue has crafted a deliberate slow burn of a debut album you'll enjoy taking your time with.

7mo

Allen’s songwriting is the sole thing that needs to be focused on; the impressiveness comes from the variety of sounds and the subtle details.

8mo

A mood piece as much as it is an album, this dimly-lit debut feels purpose-built to soundtrack the long, dark nights stretching ahead of us.

7mo

‘In Praise of Shadows’, his debut album, is pretty much the musical equivalent of Night Nurse (other sleep aids are available), but in the best way possible, filled with tracks tailor-made for nights under the duvet.

7mo

Best heard buried under a quilt with hot tea in hand, surrounded by candles with the lights low.

Full Review

7mo

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Melancoholic

Gorgeous.

7mo

Pintale

It's worth leaning into Jacob Allen's (as Puma Blue) brand of trip-hop-inflected ambient pop. I don't doubt that any critic could write off this music as being too gentle, too washed out, or too subdued, but if you believe it's there, I think you'll find that these songs have real character, succeeding in their subtlety.

Generally speaking, the tracks you'll find on 'In Praise of Shadows' opt for quiet atmospherics to shroud muted, murky guitars, beautifully sour notes, hip-hop drum patterns, ... read more

7mo

✧*:joan･ﾟ✧

I've been waiting for a Puma Blue for a couple years by now and this didn't dissapoint! The beautiful, warm beats mixed with those DREAMY vocals and beautiful lyrics. It makes me feel like I'm in that state of almost sleep when your eyes close without you wanting to and someone is with me playing with my hair.
I think he found his lane musically, this feels so simple and familiar, yet unique at the same time. GORGEOUS album.
Please pay more attention to the lyrics than the beats.

I'm the ... read more

7mo

marcotonho

IN PRAISE OF SHADOWS (2021):

1. Sweet Dreams: 5,0/10.
2. Cherish (furs): 5,5/10.
3. Velvet Leaves: 6,0/10.
4. Snowflower: 5,0/10.
5. Already Falling: 5,5/10.
6. Sheets: 6,5/10.
7. Olive / Letter to ATL: 6,5/10.
8. Oil Slick: 6,0/10.
9. Silk Print: 5,0/10.
10. Is It Because: 5,5/10.
11. Opiate: 5,0/10.
12. Sleeping: 6,0/10.
13. Bath House: 7,0/10.
14. Super Soft: 6,5/10.

Average: 5,7/10.

5mo