Once a slight but promising folk duo, Blind Pilot has grown into a sextet whose subtle, tasty arrangements give its latest music an appealing scope, as evidenced on its album “And Then Like Lions” (ATO), out Friday. Folk is never far from the center, but other appealing influences fold in gently without intruding or distracting from the voice and words of Israel Nebeker. But missing from those influences are the pop touches found on the band’s prior album, “We Are the Tide,” issued five years ago.

The new environment matches...