Chicago native and Wilmington, North Carolina resident Blase returns with this sophomore album, where 11 tracks of dream-pop might bring to mind Beach Fossils, Cigarettes After Sex, The Flaming Lips or The Radio Dept.

The extremely warm and hazy “Middle Of Nowhere” begins the record with dense waves of synth that complement Blasé’s striking and smooth voice, as punchy drumming and floating melodies enter. “Finding Myself In You” then follows with a soft approach of introspection and pop ideas which enter the cautious climate.

Up next is the lush acoustic guitars and scrappy drumming of the beat friendly “Under The Same Stars,” as well as the swirling dynamics of the dreamy “Directions.” “Dirt Into Gold” then showcases the depth of Blasé’s really lovely singing voice alongside rich waves of synth that unfold with timeless, colorful, ambience.

The back half continues the meticulous nature of the album with more sugary sweet songwriting. “My Mind Set On You” is highly drum focused and even invites dancing, but it’s the bare and intimate “Where Only We Know” that stakes its claim as the best on Side B.

Getting close to the end, the retro alt-rock fun of “No Other Place” comes with nostalgia, and “Don’t Want This To End” embraces a charming jangle that invites singing-along immediately. “Reflecting Time” finishes, a blur of ambience and ear candy song craft that we won’t soon forget.

With a body of work that’s rooted in traveling across the country, Blase cut his teeth playing drums in Chicago, but these days he’s a one-man band who wrote, performed and recorded every song here. Residing somewhere in and around indie-pop, bedroom-pop, shoegaze, and the early days of alt-rock, every moment of Somewhere Out There is heartfelt and balances vulnerability with occasional bouts of animated gestures.

Rating: A-

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