2020 Vision [CD]

Martin Sexton’s ability to hone in on defining moments is evident by his latest EP, 2020 Vision. This is Martin’s first release in 6 years, and it is a poetically emotive and an elegantly evocative pandemic scrapbook. The recordings were tracked virtually during lockdown and produced by three-time Grammy-nominee John Alagia (John Mayer, Paul Simon, Lukas Nelson). “In one song, I’m building a treehouse with my son. In another song, I’m crossing America and seeing the beauty in people rising through adversity and loving each other,” Martin details. 2020 Vision snapshots moments of clarity during the pandemic and beyond. The EP’s leadoff single, “Hold On,” is one of those sun-shining-through-the-rain songs. It brims with soul guitar fixings, punchy horns, and a touching narrative of the simple pleasures of spending time with loved ones. The EP’s second single, “Calling On America,” follows in the grand tradition of tender R&B cultural commentary epitomized by soul poets like Curtis Mayfield’s and Marvin Gaye. It’s a scene-setting song panning through visual vignettes of love and harmony while also contemplating division. The song’s purposeful messaging goes down smooth with folksy acoustic guitar, gospel-tinged organ playing, pining pedal steel, and Martin’s trademark honeyed vocals. “Calling On America” is further enhanced by a John Mayer guitar solo, a lyrical but fleet-fingered statement that hits that sweet spot between blues and country. The EP is rounded out by the impressionistic folk song, “Riding Through The Rain,” and the James Taylor-esque, “Penny from the Land of Plenty,” a powerful and hopeful statement on the opioid epidemic. 2020 Vision will always have its lessons and remain in Martin’s sight, even as the miles out on the road put pandemic life in the rearview mirror. One of those lessons is the power of togetherness. Martin says: “My mission statement for the past 15 years has been unity through music, and I am committed to sharing peace and harmony through my songs."

1. Hold On 2. Calling on America 3. Riding Through the Rain 4. Penny from the Land of Plenty

• Format Detail: CD
• Format: CD
• Genre: Indie & Alternative