Brazilian-born, London-based artist PUZZLE has fast been getting attention in all the right places with his brand of forceful, poignant and fearless dark pop. Debut single ‘Godlike’ drew accolades for its soaring synths and melancholic melodies, quickly racking up hundreds of thousands of views with its ambitiously innovative video. New single ‘Trial By Fire’ is the just the second track to come from the artist, but we’re already hooked with its gargantuan anthemic chorus that hits like a tsunami.
Produced by Mikko Gordon – the man behind tracks from FEMME, Osca and Gaz Coombes – the track is an instantly arresting slice of synth-pop with that undeniably epic chorus and relentless, pulsating beats. The emotional intensity in PUZZLE’s work draws parallels with Wonderland favourites Frank Ocean and FKA Twigs, and thankfully the video only serves to heighten the intense feeling. The visual, a masterful animation featuring the enigmatic PUZZLE himself, sees PUZZLE engaged in a striking and dramatic chase against a ruthless snarling darkness.
As PUZZLE himself explains, “the song is about human struggle of fighting for something or someone against impossible odds; it’s the embodiment of not being afraid to stand for what you believe regardless of the consequences.”
Keep an eye on this one for 2016; a storm is brewing…