FORM Presents
PUMA BLUE
+ Tony Njoku

If you knew how and when you were going to die, how would it change how you decided to live? With
today’s announcement of his forthcoming studio record, Croak Dream (out February 6, 2026 via Play It
Again Sam), South-London born, Atlanta-based artist Puma Blue – the alias of Jacob Allen – explores
the philosophical question through daring lyrical content and bold production, gesturing toward his love
of trip-hop, dub techno, jungle and forward-thinking electronic music.

Alongside the announcement, Puma Blue also shares details of a world tour, as well as the lead single
and music video “Desire”. Originally written & recorded in a hotel room, the raw, visceral sound of
“Desire” went on to inspire the entirety of Croak Dream’s sonic landscape.“I didn’t have microphones with me or anything,” shares Allen about the early creation of the track.

“I ended up embracing the raw sound of my guitar recorded with my phone, no amplification. I meant to
re-dub it later, but I actually fell in love with how visceral it sounded unplugged, and so I left it as it was.
This approach snowballed into an appetite for these gritty and ugly sounds clashing with something more
lucid and dream-like.
Sometimes I feel like my music has been chronically shy and so with this song, it just felt time to be bold,
let it all hang out, throw the paint around. A lot of recent songs have started this way, lonely and reaching
for the guitar the way I did when I was a kid, a sort of old friend. Just using whatever limited tools within
my reach. I taught myself guitar on an electric as a teenager and for years we didn’t have a guitar amp, so
it felt kind of full circle for me.

As for the lyrics, I’m a lover asking his partner to bed, craving what she wants. It’s just a love song really.
But with jungle breaks"

Description

Village Underground, situated on Holywell Lane in Hackney, stands as a vital cultural asset within East London, far exceeding the remit of a mere commercial enterprise. Its operational model sees all commercial revenue directly reinvested into community and artistic programming, solidifying its position as a cornerstone for creative expression and local engagement.

The venue occupies a meticulously renovated turn-of-the-century warehouse, its industrial heritage evident in the soaring high ceilings and exposed brickwork that define the space. A palpable energy permeates the main hall, often accompanied by the subtle hum of a finely tuned sound system awaiting activation, while the raw concrete floor underfoot speaks to its robust, adaptable nature.

Capable of accommodating up to 1000 standing guests or 250 for seated configurations, the venue offers a dedicated bar area for patrons. Village Underground is committed to welcoming all, with comprehensive accessibility information readily available to ensure a broad audience can experience its offerings.

Throughout the year, Village Underground hosts a diverse calendar of events, ranging from live music performances spanning indie, electronic, and experimental genres, to immersive club nights, theatrical productions, art exhibitions, and various other live artistic showcases.