British ensemble Orchestra of the Swan recorded its last album, Timelapse, on the cusp of the pandemic in January 2020. Its latest album, Labyrinths, was devised and recorded as parts of the world were beginning to slowly emerge from a series of hard lockdowns. No doubt this has particular resonance for Australian listeners, especially those of us on the east coast.

Turn then to this lovely recording whose works are connected by themes of “pilgrimage, contemplation, exploration and enlightenment”, as outlined by Artistic Director David Le Page in the liner notes. Intentionally drawing together music from diverse cultural contexts and time periods, Labyrinths asks the listener to create our own connections between works that seem like odd bedfellows at first glance. Listeners are also encouraged to experience the entire album, dubbed a “mixtape”, in sequence to become more deeply immersed in the range of sound worlds on offer here.

This reviewer took up the challenge and found the experience especially rewarding. Max Richter’s now very familiar On the Nature of Daylight