Crossword Genius

It helps to set the mood in country, perhaps, with history (10,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

background music

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'it helps to set the mood' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'country perhaps with history' is the wordplay.
'country perhaps' becomes 'music' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'history' becomes 'background' (I've seen this before).
'music' put after 'background' is 'BACKGROUND MUSIC'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for background music that I've seen before include "atmospheric enhancement" , "Muzak" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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