7/10

Ever since he first broke through with his dazzling debut LP 'Sounds Like Science' last year, Californian artist and composer Cochrane McMillan has looked to establish himself as one of the more innovative names doing the rounds. Adopting some beautifully rich soundscapes in which to envelope, his tenure to date has been this beautifully serene and adventurous one that always seeks to push the boundaries of his aesthetic at every turn. And with his place on the scene continuing to grow in prominence, he returns once again with his sprawling sophomore album 'Lagerstätte', a record that builds upon those dynamic textures so far.

Much like what his initial offering delivered, 'Lagerstätte' takes the more ethereal nature of his sound and combines it with some brilliantly riveting tones. Collaborating with a host of fellow visionaries including Erik Deutsch, Robert Cheek and Mason Perrett for this new release, the new four-track offering makes for a brilliantly warm and emotive listen. Using a diverse array of instrumentation to create its beautifully smooth and woozy direction, Cochrane finds himself in a broad and driven guise that looks to nurture his explorative pursuits from start to finish.

Very much akin to what his first full-length had to offer, 'Lagerstätte' creates this bold and enticing sound that flows perfectly from one track to the track. Crossing genres as often as possible, he returns to the fold with some of his most impactful ideas to date here.