Holy Waters

Holy Waters marks a significant evolution for Jacob Allen, performing as Puma Blue. While his earlier EPs and debut album, 'In Praise of Shadows', leaned heavily into a lo-fi, 'voicemail-ballad' aesthetic, this 2023 release embraces a fuller, more organic sound. Recorded primarily live with his touring band at Echo Zoo Studios, the album trades digital isolation for analog warmth and collective chemistry. Thematically, the record is a stark departure, pivoting from romantic pining to a heavy, sophisticated meditation on mortality, inspired by the death of his grandmother and his own near-death experiences. Sonically, it bridges the gap between the 'Blue Nile' sophisticated pop, Jeff Buckley's raw guitar poetry, and the smoky jazz-soul of D'Angelo. Critics noted its increased production depth and the bravery of its lyrical vulnerability, cementing Allen's place as a leader in the UK's alternative R&B scene.