Our Album of the Week so far is ‘Croak Dream’. Dominated by Puma Blue’s androgynous voice, it is very reminiscent of Radiohead in its title track and Portishead in recordings like ‘(Fool)’ and ‘Hush’. But it is songs like ‘Silently’ that finally guide the album into its own territory. It’s our Song of the Day today.
‘Silently’ is more oriented towards jazz or even R&B sounds. Although it has a Beth Gibbons feel to it, it’s closer to the kind of pop that Rhye or even Sade made.
The title of the song comes from “a voice in the wind that sings in silence.” ‘Silently’ speaks of a relationship separated probably by death, although the text is ambiguous, implying Jacob’s devastation.
“You’ve gone to a place where I can’t follow you,” he says on the one hand. And on the other hand, “I have gone to a place where you cannot follow me.” The game of cat and mouse in its most tragic version continues with “you know I love you, but I’m gone, to the core of me, I’m lost.”
In a recent interview, Puma Blue wanted to take the edge off the vein-cutting atmosphere of ‘Croak Dream’, indicating that everything is fine and also better with his band than ever. «I feel like this album is me saying “now that you know who I am, I can be myself freely.” Some songs contain a lot of sadness, but also some silliness. There is joy in sadness because it is simply incredible to be alive.
