Acumen - Acumen

Benbecula Records continue to please with this debut release from Acumen, the collaborative project between Greg Holley and Oli Lisher. The pair formed the partnership as a means to practice new ideas and experiment with new forms of composition, with the resulting output creating an impeccable album of striking folktronica. Jumping on the new work, Benbecula successfully continue to push their own musical boundaries with another limited release on their applauded Minerals Series. Acumen's list of influences include Bjork, DJ Shadow and Matmos and the album should most definitely appeal to fans of these artists more laidback, jazzier numbers. It opens with the magnificent Intro, paving the way for a work full of spectacular production, deep bass, twinkling electronica and fragmented beats. Blind x 100 displays the more jazzy edge of Acumen in all its trip-hop wonder, while Vermiculite is deep and powerful, swelling constantly towards its climax before Vega prowls up in a post-rock influenced crescendo. The album twists and winds, building impressively and creaking almost to a halt, like the most calming rollercoaster you've ever experienced. Its variations upon an underlying theme make for a work that flows perfectly from beginning to end, difficult to segment into tracks and impossible to put down. Acumen must be recommended, especially for the upcoming lazy summer days and late night fables. [Don McVinnie]