Yucatan is the name of one of the thirty one states of Mexico; an area rich in archaeology and exotic landscapes and it's the name which musician Dilywn Llwyd has adopted for this sumptuous debut which has strong echoes of Sigur Ros about it. The latter point is hardly surprising since the two had a chance meething which then led to Llwyd using their Icelandic studio. No surprise also, then, that Llwyd also sings in a foreign language (his native Welsh), employs lovely string-laden arrangements and the general air of ethereality is never far away.

'Y Gwacter' is a convenient place to start; with an easily-whistled melody it's an encouraging and immediately rewarding beginning and it's no fluke either, as throughout this record is brilliantly arranged. 'Un Cyfle' captures the sweetness of early Mum singles down to a tee. Llwyd is always in fine voice; the language not proving to be a barrier so much as a layer of mystique. Then fascinatingly, in the centre of the record, the mood switches from lush to understated and minimalist; Llywd's vocals being particularly stunning on 'Mynd Lawr'. Altogether this is a classy, elegant record with the only criticism being that it may be a little too reverential to other artists.