It’s been out for a while, but a relaxed approach to writing about this most recent EP from Samuel Zasada befits the music within. As yet further evidence that Oxford – if not the wider world – is increasingly turning for inspiration to Americana sounds old and new, Winter’s End EP is five tracks of melodic harmony, kickin’ back rhythms and even a smattering of banjo. At least, though, Samuel Zasada have been exploring this sound for a few years, so they may be seen more as setting trends than following them.

After the title track’s strange introduction, with some jaunty banjo being gradually faded out in a slightly disconcerting fashion, five tracks of consistently sweet-natured, forlorn and airy country-folk present themselves in a tidy and pleasing fashion. The template is largely a rolling melody over a swingingly relaxed beat, with singer David Samuel Ashbourne’s rounded vocals upped in intensity by some nicely-pitched backing harmonies.

Only on ‘Lifelessly’ does the mood vary from a kind of sleepy introspection, by including a more aggressive drum-led structure and somewhat more bellowing and throaty vocals. My preference is for the sandy-coloured sweetness of the other tracks; as in the wonderfully Crosby, Stills & Nash-esque ‘Scratching’ and the more-folk-than-country ‘Denser Plains’.

Pretty solid, solidly pretty stuff, then – a most uplifting and pleasing set of songs. Winter’s End EP is available to stream for free, as well as in a card-sleeved CD edition (including free download).