Scottish musician Ataurean’s debut album for DSPPR maps a very personal journey. The pieces were composed, one a day, at the end of a 6 week stay in hospital. As his medication dosage was reduced and the pain began to subside. After tests had ruled out the worst. The LP, therefore, was born out of a period of fear and great uncertainty, and marks the artist’s moments of relief and reflection. The music as a consequence travels toward and through the light.

Tumbling chiming patterns carry the melodies. Pretty, playful, ping-ponging, sometimes like programmed pizzicato plucking, overlapping in layered currents of keys, that build busy, bumping, effervescing bubbles of well being. Creating themes that reprise and develop across the 11 tracks. As if chasing the tail of a comet. Symphonic synths swell beneath these crystalline cascades, summoning a sort of church-like, hymn-like atmosphere. Fashioning fanfares with big cathedral, high, high ceilinged acoustics.

There are LFO pulses, that in places become more prominent. Mixing the classical pastoral and new age cues with a few from ambient IDM. Time To Leave is a highlight. Tenderly echoing Mixmaster Morris’ rightly much-loved Irresistible Force Full Chill Mix of Coldcut’s Autumn Leaves. Its tiny spinning sonic spirals sending out sunset fractals, like sparks from Bonfire Night Catherine wheels.

Ataurean’s Birdy can be ordered directly from DSPPR.