Justin Sexton truly put his best foot forward in his recent EP Gypsy Wind, which was released on July 26th of this year. Gypsy Wind is the first release from Sexton and he didn’t disappoint.
The opening track of the EP and its title track “Gypsy Wind” is a beautifully classic song about experiencing heartbreak, and using those emotions to create art. Sexton explains the title he chose for his first EP in the song’s chorus with the line “Like a leaf blowing in the gypsy wind, I’m gone”. Sexton uses his feelings of heartbreak to create such a versatile track. He explains his experiences with such well-written lines like “You said I was the one who never could get it together, but putting it in a song comes so naturally”. Much of the song’s lyrics and imagery center around letting the wind blow him wherever he needs to go to find happiness again so he can “Get on with getting over you”. Overall, this song is such a strong opener to the EP, and whatever Sexton does in the future of his career.
The title track is immediately followed by ‘In the Rain’, a song about wanting and working hard for what you want, whether it be money, fame, love, or all of the above. The lyrics of this track describe working yourself into the ground for a faraway goal- “I wear out this bag of bones just to give my life a meaning” Sexton describes the struggles of wanting, working hard, and not being rewarded in the song’s chorus “Wild horses can’t be tamed. There’s a few of us left out there in the rain”. This song is definitely a stand-out on the EP, as it’s so emotional and relatable for so many people, but it isn’t a run-of-the-mill love song or breakup song. It’s something entirely of its own stripe and it’s done incredibly well.
These first two tracks are beautifully complimented by the EP’s third track- “Heaven Forbid”. This is a slower piano tune, which allows it to portray its heavy emotions in a new way, as opposed to the first two tracks, which deal with heavier topics, but still keep more of a lighthearted country beat. Sexton opens this song with the line “I’ve worked my life to death. When I get home, there ain’t much of me left”, which carries on the themes of the previous track, creating an EP that flows into one continuous narrative. Sexton once again sings about losing someone he loves, not wishing it on anyone- “Heaven forbid you ever end up here”., followed by beautifully flowing instrumentals. “I’d slow it down and take her by the hand” the song revolves around expressing regrets for causing pain to the one he loves and thinking again about all of the mistakes he made in the relationship when he sings about “This ugly mess I made”. An incredible ballad that was so essential in an EP like this, about love and regret, but also about finding your way and finding happiness again.
“Country Road 57” follows “Heaven Forbid” and continues its slow emotion in its beginning, but this time in an acoustic track as opposed to a piano track, adding a slight change of pace. This song is beautiful, with a premise that is completely unique. Here, Sexton thinks back at all of the good memories in a relationship, and wants to build a life with someone. He sings of building a house on a hill where the two of them can look out and see all the places where important moments in their relationship happened, like the tree where they had their first kiss. This is such a sweet and perfect concept for a love song, and Sexton does an incredible job adapting this idea. It works perfectly with his country style.
The EP closes with “Average Hillbilly”, which has a completely separate vibe from the rest of the EP. Where the rest of the tracks are romantic, sad, and sometimes slow, “Average Hillbilly” is a classic western tune about embracing where you come from.- “Proud to be your average hillbilly”. This song is completely disconnected from the rest of the tracks in the best way possible. It takes the stories of the previous songs into the wider context of who the singer is. This track also develops into a more rock n’ roll sound. With heavy beats that are amazing to dance to, this is such a high energy and fun way to end the EP.
Gypsy Wind is such a pleasant surprise from a new artist. It shows talent in writing, singing, and story-telling that is so rare and a perfect fit for the country genre. It also shows Sexton’s vision and dedication for his style as an artist that is so hard to find.Reviewed by Steph Stone
