Pianist, songwriter, and storyteller Jack Horton returns with his second EP in a year, Imperfections — a deeply personal and musically rich five-song collection blending honest lyricism with polished musicianship. Released as a series of monthly singles from April to August, the EP features four original songs and a bold reimagining of a classic from Jim Croce.
Leading the project is the emotional and liberating single “Set Me Free,” a track rooted in personal transformation. “I’m grateful for my divorce,” Horton shares. “Without it, I’d never have written Set Me Free, which is about loving someone enough to let them go.” With its raw vulnerability and uplifting tone, the song sets the stage for the rest of the EP.
The journey continues with “String Around My Finger,” a feel-good pop-country anthem about choosing love over ambition. Packed with Nashville charm and nods to songwriting legends, Horton sings: “I’m playin’ covers at ol’ Joe’s every Wednesday night / Elton John, Johnny Cash, and a little John Prine.”
Imperfections also showcases Horton’s versatility with “Operator,” a reimagined version of Jim Croce’s beloved 1972 hit. “As a songwriter, I never thought I’d cover someone else,” Horton admits, “but I wanted to bring something new to this song — a fresh interpretation that still honors its heart.”
Listeners will also find “Never Know Why,” a stirring duet with Horton’s creative partner and collaborator, Vesper Stockwell. Their vocal chemistry adds depth to the track’s themes of love, confusion, and connection. The EP concludes with a reworked version of Horton’s 2023 single “Space and Time,” revisiting the quiet heartbreak of someone asking for distance as a way of saying goodbye.
Imperfections follows Horton’s Japan-inspired release, The Tokyo Sessions, a four-song EP written in Japanese while living abroad. That project will see a full-scale promotion in Japan beginning mid-2025, highlighting Horton’s bilingual artistry and cross-cultural reach.
Through Imperfections, Jack Horton continues to carve out a space that’s both emotionally resonant and musically accomplished — a rare blend of introspection, heart, and soul. This new body of work reflects life in all its beauty and messiness, reminding listeners that there is meaning — and even art — in our imperfections.
STREAM “SET ME FREE” NOW:open.spotify.com/track/4Yg
