Once Somebody's Baby Boy

The first album on swim from Manchester artisan Dave Scattergood expands on the craftsmanship of his debut track, "Lecci on the Grand Jatte," which appeared on the Swim Team #2 compilation. Opening with a genuine overture (though noted as "Prelude and Copper Rooftop"), the three-minute warm-up finds Scattergood surfing through his settings of keyboard sounds, all of which warm up nicely to the first real song, "Springs Under Halle," which builds slowly from frolicking chimes into a skipping breakbeat adorned with all manner of spring fair color. He is less playful on "Sunset Drinks in Little Havana" and "09:20pm Car Ride," but unlike many of his pastoral electronic peers, Scattergood isn't afraid to use a nice solid beat, even if it only last for a 16-bar climax. "Thinking Whilst Aligning Bridges" gets downright manic at its peak, filled with clattering rhythm shots, leading perfectly into the closer "Making Their Way Back Home," which tucks this album nicely into bed after a long day of play.