There’s a warmth to Ben Higginbotham’s Canopy that brings to mind the Laurel Canyon singer-songwriter tradition of the 70s, with its organic arrangements, easy melodies, and intimate songs that leave room for a little reflection. There’s also the breezy, unforced acoustic pop associated with Jack Johnson, along with the soulful vocals and melodic instincts you might find in John Mayer’s quieter material.

The result is a gentle, melodic form of indie folk/pop that feels familiar without being tied to any one era or genre.

The EP opens with a brief instrumental introduction that gives you a sense of what lies ahead.

At first glance, Canopy might seem like it’s going to be a quiet acoustic singer-songwriter record, built around a voice and a guitar. But the opening piano, echoing textures, and lovely vocalizing suggest a much richer musical landscape.

“My World” is a gorgeous expression of devotion to someone who has stood beside you through life’s ups and downs. Its catchy chorus has a little country flavor, though the dreamy production and indie-pop sensibility keep it from settling into any one style. The backing vocals and echoing layers give the song a lovely, almost weightless quality. It’s the kind of song you could imagine dedicating to someone who’s been there through thick and thin, and the arrangement makes that simple sentiment feel all the more moving.

There’s a strong pop sensibility to “Rollercoaster,” with the kind of melodic appeal that makes you think it could be a crossover hit. The relaxed, soulful vocal and easygoing rhythm make it immediately inviting.

The bridge is the real payoff, as the backing vocals join in and the song suddenly opens into something bigger. It’s catchy without feeling calculated, and it shows just how naturally Higginbotham’s songs can move from intimacy to a much fuller sound.

“Little Moments” basically sounds like it takes you to church, with its almost spiritual quality. Little organ-like touches appear throughout, while gorgeous layered vocals take on an almost angelic quality, giving the song a gospel-tinged warmth.

It feels like coming home to the place where you grew up, reconnecting with family and familiar rituals, and finding some peace in the things that restore you when life has left you feeling disconnected. The arrangement mirrors that feeling, gradually opening up until the song seems to surround you.

A different shade of the 70s singer-songwriter sound comes through on “Rotten,” co-written with Emily Shearman. There’s a soulful groove that brings to mind the relaxed rhythmic feel of James Taylor, while the way the melody, chorus, and bridge come together recalls the craft of Carly Simon. A faint psychedelic haze hangs around the edges, adding another layer to the vintage feel.

Beneath that easy groove, though, there’s a more regretful song about getting lost in your own thoughts and insecurities, and the way that can affect the people who care about you.

“Traveller” returns to a more intimate acoustic sound, with its opening bringing to mind the melancholy of Danny O’Keefe’s original recording of “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues.” But the arrangement gradually expands into something more orchestral, with fuller passages that give the song a beautiful, almost cinematic lift. Higginbotham’s vocal performance remains at the center, while the additional voices and orchestral textures make the music feel expansive without losing its intimacy.

There’s a vulnerability to the song’s apparent plea for grace, an acknowledgment that we don’t always get things right and a hope that the people around us will give us room to find our way.

One of the things I love most about Canopy is the way Higginbotham uses vocal arrangements to give these songs their size. The backing voices open up the music, adding depth and fullness without crowding the songs. Combined with his warm acoustic guitar playing, strong melodies, and mix of folk, indie pop, country touches, and soulful grooves, they give the EP a richness that goes beyond the understated singer-songwriter label.

And through it all, the songwriting remains earnest, exploring love, struggle, getting older, and trying to find your way through life without cynicism or pretense.

Canopy is the kind of thing I can imagine putting on at the end of a long day, sitting outside with a drink while the week’s worries drift through your head. It doesn’t demand your attention so much as invite you to settle in and spend some time with it.

There’s something comforting about that, and about music that reminds you we’re all trying to figure things out as we go.

Verdict: Great

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