Boho beatnik Abram Shook warrants a closer look. For his sophomore LP, the native Californian unplugged from technology to take daily walks among the parks of South Austin, his pup companion for company. The eight-year local then channeled that naturalistic influence on Landscape Dream. Remote, celestial guitar commences opener “Never Die,” which blooms from dreamlike delicacy into a percussive rumble. With slightly androgynous vocals, the Shearwater moonlighter’s ethereal aesthetic recalls the beachy lushness of Devendra Banhart, spatters of psychedelia boosting the 12 tracks to artsy easy-listening. Midway in, “Get Gone” yields delicate electronica and the album’s strongest choral hook. “Find It” teases a Sixties garage-rock riff; “Receiving You” introduces a funky R&B vibe to the eclectic ilk. Last year, Shook debuted promisingly with Sun Marquee, and now Landscape Dream hones his Utopian pop perspective.

***.5

This article appears in May 22 • 2015.

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