Brand new EP from Zachary Mason

Over the last few years, Guildford-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Zachary Mason has been building one of the UK’s more intriguing catalogues, crafting music that slips between folk, dream pop, grunge and classic rock stylings. His songs carry the intimacy of candid songwriting while channelling colourful, expansive arrangements, creating a body of work where emotional context is balanced by adventurous arrangements, imagination and a subtle sense of playfulness.

His knack for musical exploration has been there from the beginning, with Zachary’s path into songwriting first sparked in 2021 when a relative gifted him a home recording kit, a seemingly simple gesture that unlocked an extraordinary burst of creativity. In the years that followed, he wrote close to 200 demo recordings, developing his vision through constant experimentation before deciding the time was right to share his music publicly.

His official arrival came in 2023 with the debut single “Special People,” introducing listeners to an artist already assured in blending contemplative songwriting with intricate instrumentation. That first release opened the door to an increasingly productive period, resulting in his debut full-length album, Songs, as Zachary steadily expanded both his catalogue and his musical identity. Each release since has revealed another facet of his songwriting and whether leaning into delicate folk melodies or framing heavier rock influences, Zachary has always maintained a style centred on storytelling, allowing emotion to drive every transmission.

Momentum continued to build throughout 2024 when his single “I’ll Get Through” reached number 41 on the indie radio charts, an achievement that marked another milestone in his growing career, further highlighting his ability to write emotionally compelling music that connects while retaining individuality. Now, Zachary returns with Welcome To My Heart, a three-track EP that signals another subtle but significant creative shift. After spending two years exploring a more rock-oriented direction, the new collection sees a return to his folk origins, placing heartfelt songwriting and understated arrangements firmly back at the centre of his sound.

Across its three songs, Welcome To My Heart explores sadness, endurance and internal struggles through an intimate, thoughtful lens. The opening track “Can’t Feel My Autumn…” maps out that reflective tone by revisiting a profoundly personal period in Zachary’s own life. Inspired by a time when taking Zoloft dulled his emotional connection to autumn, a season he associates with nostalgia and heightened feeling, the song examines what it means to feel disconnected from experiences that once carried emotional significance.

It’s a gentle but affecting meditation on memory, perception and the desire to reconnect with oneself wrapped up in a tender folk soundscape that glides with softly plucked acoustic guitar, airy instrumental texture and hushed vocal performance. That poignant mood continues throughout the EP, with “I Need Freedom” expanding on themes of emotional struggle and perseverance wrapped up in an alternative folk setting. Propelled by the steady punch of drums, the lilting rhythms sway flows with mellow guitar chords and smooth vocal leads, casting a stunning folk soundscape that’s memorable and original from start to finish.

Closing track “Me And I,” which Zachary notes as his personal favourite, concludes the release with another thoughtful examination of identity and self-reflection. Presenting an expansive sonic voyage that stretches out across seven and a half minutes of dreamy indie folk aesthetic, the song progresses with the quiet punch of drums as warm bass notes, laid back guitars and compelling vocal performance are met with the subtle touch of psychedelic instrumentation, resulting in a stunning finale to Zachary Mason’s superb new EP.

The project also introduces a new creative partnership, with mixing and mastering by Grammy-nominated producer and engineer David E Beats, based in Toulouse, France. Additional collaborations further enrich the record with Nate Barnes, drummer for the critically acclaimed rock band Rose Hill Drive, performing on the second and third songs, while Little Big Town bassist John Thomasson lends his playing to the closing track. As his catalogue continues to expand, Zachary Mason continues to impress with each move and we can’t wait to see what he’s got in store next.

Listen to Welcome To My Heart below