RIDING high on the current crest of a synth-pop wave, channelling the 1980s, and sending Pitchfork reviewers into frothy elation, is Domin-ican-born George Lewis Jr – aka Twin Shadow.

Debut album Forget, produced by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor, has earned global acclaim and spawned his first major UK tour.

The crowd at Audio were well warmed up by the superb Pope Joan, a local band that would be at home on any size stage; their commanding frontman a consummate professional.

Twin Shadow’s stage-style was somewhat more laidback; requesting more kick and snare, or foldback on vocals for his bandmates, while keeping the volume on his own mic – and on his own performance – understated.

He was, nevertheless, warm and engaging, his banter fairly brief but delivered with a wry smile.

His amazing new-wave afro hairstyle creating a presence all of its own.

The set was predictably faithful to the album, but the sound was unharnessed. The live musicians dominated the lyrics with a rawer, rougher edge than on the studio-clean record.

The downside to a receded vocals, however, was on some tracks that Lewis’s talented word-smithery was lost.

Energy levels were high and, as each song on Forget is a bona-fide gem, the music was relentlessly consistent. Highlights included the album title track’s crashing drum beat and dissonant synths cranked to the maximum, the upbeat and infectious At My Heels and the Morrissey-evoking Slow.

It isn’t hard to imagine that the next time Twin Shadow hits our shores, the venues will be at least twice the size.