In terms of cover art aesthetic alone, LIfe is Climbing is a surprise, exchanging the moody photos and images that define Hatakeyama’s other work for a crisp sunlit portrait of two climbers in the Utah desert. But that’s because it’s a documentary film soundtrack, covering one of the last efforts of Japanese paraclimber Koichiro Kobayashi before retirement. Life is Climbing is one of Hatakeyama’s more focused efforts, consisting of short piano or guitar-texture led pieces centered on setting and contemplation as on “What Lies Ahead?” and “Discover Yourself.”

– Ned Raggett