Biography
Puzzle Muteson serves as the stage identity adopted by Terry Magson, the English singer and songwriter born on the Isle of Dogs in London, England. At a young age, Magson revealed an innate musical gift after his high-school music instructor identified exceptional vocal strength and vibrato control. He pursued formal music training at college for a short time, only to leave the program and pursue independent creative and musical exploration. Shortly thereafter the Puzzle Muteson project emerged, drawing early notice through its distinctive blend of folk-tinged fingerpicked guitar textures and deep, immersive vocal delivery. Magson refined his songwriting craft and issued several preliminary recordings under the Puzzle Muteson name, which attracted the interest of producers Nico Muhly and Valgeir Sigurðsson. The pair chose to expand on his material, collaborating closely until the 2011 debut album En Garde appeared on Sigurðsson’s Bedroom Community imprint. That record earned widespread praise and drew parallels to skilled songwriters such as Damien Rice while underscoring the album’s weary yet luminous and optimistic sonic character. The artist later performed across the U.K. and Ireland, opening for Sub Pop-affiliated acts including Death Vessel and the Fruit Bats. In 2014 Puzzle Muteson issued the follow-up full-length Theatrics, which likewise drew positive notices for its fresh stylistic choices, including an emphasis on loops, heightened percussion, and the continued presence of Magson’s signature arpeggiated guitar work alongside his vibrato vocals.
Albums
