In his latest EP release, Gypsy Wind, Justin Sexton breathes life into the country scene as he reminisces on his past struggles and mistakes. Throughout half of the track, Justin Sexton looks towards the past in a sense of longing and yearning, with the other half being focused around rising from the shadows and overcoming hardships through hard work.
The opening track, “Gypsy Wind” initiates the album with an acoustic folk track that encompasses the overall message of looking back at his struggles and moving forward. Justin Sexton sings about a previous love that has hurt him, touching on how one must leave such pain behind and blow away “like the gypsy wind”. In a heartfelt tone, the song creates a visual of floating and moving on through heartbreak, being as fluid as the wind and attempting to “get on with getting over you”, overcoming the harm that a past lover has done.
The message of remorse and longing can also be seen on the track titled “Heaven Forbid”, in which Justin Sexton opens up his emotions and speaks on regrets he has of harming his lover. With deep sorrow, the track tells the story of wasting time and having a loved one walk away, with a feeling of embarrassment that leads to the chorus, stating “heaven forbid you ever turn up here, I’d have to swallow my pride and wash it down with tears”. Justin Sexton uses this song to pour his remorse out, creating a somber feeling of missing his ex-lover yet wishing she’d never come back because of his embarrassment.
In the fourth track, “County Road 57”, Justin Sexton continues his longing for previous lovers. In this song, however, the focus shifts towards the liveliness of memories with her, speaking on “the old oak tree on your daddy’s land where you first kissed me” and other important memories to him. The track itself has a more vibrant feeling, creating a sense of wanting a future with his past love and a reminiscing of the positive way things used to me. Justin Sexton uses this piece as a love declaration, proposing a beautiful life with this lover and bringing back the spark that used to be present.
The EP itself also has that classic country feel to it throughout the remaining tracks. In “In The Rain”, Justin Sexton creates a rock-country fusion that focuses on the hard work it takes to make your dreams a reality. The track sheds light on the struggles one may face when pursuing success but emphasizes the importance of pushing through amidst the issues and continuing to work towards the end goal, even if it means continuing “in the rain”. This same concept is present on the closing track, titled “Average Hillbilly”. In what feels like a standout staple in modern country, the track brings a rustic feel with a clear message: hard work gets you your name. Justin Sexton uses this track to speak on the dirt and grime he’s gone through when struggling to make it big, emphasizing that he’s proud of the effort he’s put in and the struggles he’s went through to achieve his dreams.
As a whole, Gypsy Wind shows the trials and tribulations Justin Sexton has been through, whether it’s through the hardships of love or the hard work of pursuing your dreams. Each track stands out with their own atmosphere, from somber to energetic and all in between, and blend together to tell a story of overcoming struggles while still remembering and learning from the past and its issues.
Written by Samuel Mujica