Awakes sees Denmark’s Jakob Skoett, alias Syntaks, make his solo debut for the Benbecula label and it’s probably the best thing this label has released in some time.  A divergent mixture of crunching beats, micro-samples, live drums, processed vocals and dreamy guitar floes, the divine atmospherics prevailing on Awakes will appeal to those with a soft spot for Eighties indie-pop legends The Cocteau Twins, who appear referenced throughout, not to mention Slowdive, and then local heroes the Boards Of Canada, to whom Isaac is surely a musical nod.  Graciously, this is all done in the best possible taste and should ensure a large raft of new fans navigates gently towards this Portobello-based imprint before the year is up. 

the dalek

(Published by The List, May 2006, and reproduced with their permission).