[Audio] Jigsaw Puzzle Glue

Jigsaw Puzzle Glue is the one woman project of Seattle based Leah Rosen. It’s been a long time since we’ve heard anything that is self-proclaimed “80’s soundtrack inspired”, but not part of the SynthWave scene, and it’s refreshing. Taking those core elements that definite 80’s synth movie music, but making them truly her own, Jigsaw Puzzle Glue makes something magical and retro without being bogged down by the past decade of the SynthWave scene sounding more and more like itself (rather than like the 80s). This mixture of 80s influences and scene-free experimental freedom produces something that is comfortable and familiar yet at the same time fresh.

Take Jue De La Vie, you’ll immediately see Jigsaw Puzzle Glue has more in common with SynthWavers the likes of Com Truise or Computer Magic than Miami Nights 84 or Tommy. This is a celebration of vintage synth sounds. Neatly layered waves of alternating buzzing leads and reverb washed pads ebb and flow throughout the tracks, exchanging space in the song as they do so. With a slightly futuristic edge, a somewhat BladeRunner-y chorus, Jue De La Vie manages to remain grounded, and surprisingly personal and human for an instrumental synth tune. The Never Beginning Story presents a slightly more majestic side to Jigsaw Puzzle Glue, slightly more cinematic. Uplifting in places, brooding in others, The Never Beginning Story is powerful stuff. For a little more traditional SynthWave fare try Waltz, with it’s Industrial jackhammer beats and growling synth bassline. We should mention too, the production on these tracks is pretty fine, quite spacious, never feeling cluttered. All-in-all Jigsaw Puzzle Glue is definitely a name to keep an eye on.