I have to admit, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of this EP ever since I first heard a sampler. In fact, the foundations of this review were written back in January, long before the record finally became available to the world. Now that it’s here, it more than lives up to expectations, every bit as good as I’d hoped.

The EP opens with "Another Year", and from the first few seconds there’s something instantly inviting about its sound. A blend of drums and electric guitar is layered with what sounds like either an accordion or a harmonium, creating a rich, droning texture that gives the track warmth and depth. When Axel’s voice enters, the combination feels effortless and perfectly balanced. The song continues to build naturally, leading to a particularly strong guitar passage around the three-quarter mark that adds another burst of energy without disrupting the mood.

The title track, "Fleeing the Shore", leans more heavily into an acoustic sound, built around the wonderful pairing of acoustic guitar and Axel’s voice. Subtle textures sit deeper in the mix, never drawing attention away from the core performance, yet they quietly elevate the song throughout. It’s a thoughtful piece of production that gives the track added depth and warmth without losing its intimacy.

"Nowhere" stands out for being far more vocally driven, with Axel delivering one of the EP’s most vulnerable performances. The accompanying strings reinforce that sense of fragility beautifully, offering support without ever overwhelming the song itself. Then, around the two-thirds mark, a brass-led interlude emerges, introducing a colder, almost wintry atmosphere that subtly shifts the emotional tone of the track.

There’s something about "Over One Night" that didn’t quite connect with me in the same way as the rest of the EP. It’s certainly a pleasant track, though that admittedly feels like faint praise, but throughout I found myself anticipating the next song rather than becoming fully immersed in this one. That’s likely more a matter of personal taste than any fault in the writing or performance, yet I never completely bought into what the track was trying to convey.

"Reassurance" opens with another beautifully textured introduction, blending the sound of running water with acoustic guitar and almost ethereal vocals. When the main vocal arrives, the arrangement becomes more stripped back, yet those ghostly harmonies remain in the background, continuing to shape the atmosphere of the track. There also seem to be subtle strings woven deep into the mix, barely noticeable at first, but quietly adding an extra sense of depth and warmth.

The EP closes with "In the Grass", and for some reason Ron Sexsmith immediately came to mind, which is high praise indeed, given the warmth and understated beauty that runs through his songwriting. Axel’s vocal performance is especially strong here, delivered with a natural, almost conversational flow that perfectly suits the reflective mood of the song. There’s a wonderful lyrical cadence to the way the vocals move through the track, carrying a quiet emotional weight without ever feeling overstated. The production complements this beautifully, creating a genuine sense of conclusion, a goodbye or final sign-off, before the song gently fades into the sounds of nature and distant footsteps.

As I mentioned earlier, I first heard a sampler of this EP back in January and immediately knew I wanted to review it once it was finally released, and now it’s finally here. Personally, when I think of an EP, I tend to imagine something between two and four tracks, so with six songs this feels closer to a mini album. Still, whatever label you choose to give it, the important thing is the quality of the music itself. Aside from one track that didn’t fully connect with me, there’s no denying that this is a fantastic collection of songs overall, filled with thoughtful songwriting, strong vocal performances, and beautifully detailed production.