There’s a new heartbeat pulsing out of Portland, Oregon—and it belongs to Jack Horton, a bilingual piano-playing poet who wears his heart on the keys and sings like he’s lived every lyric. Formerly known as Cullen Jack, this singer-songwriter is far more than a charming throwback—he’s a bridge between generations. With a musical DNA that pulls from the elegance of David Foster and the storytelling soul of Jim Croce, fused with the modern magic of Ed Sheeran and a sprinkle of Morgan Wallen’s pop-country edge, Jack is crafting his lane—one piano note at a time. Whether it’s a candlelit ballad or a TikTok clip that catches you off guard, Jack’s music feels like a warm hug and a good cry all in one.
His latest offering, “Set Me Free,” released on April 4, opens like a confession in a quiet room. The piano gently glows beneath his voice—soulful, tender, and aching with quiet urgency. There’s a moment of stillness before he sings, and when he does, it’s as if the room exhales. His vocal delivery is rich with raw emotion, especially as he leans into the second verse. Jack doesn’t just sing about pain—he feels it, making every line land with honesty and weight.
The production wraps his voice in soft folk textures and acoustic warmth. Fingerpicked guitar and light percussion create a backdrop that’s intimate yet expansive—like a window cracked open on a rainy day. The chorus swells with a melody that sticks with you, not because it’s flashy, but because it’s true. And isn’t that what we crave most in music?
“Set Me Free” captures the quiet desperation of needing release—from grief, from expectation, from whatever cage life has built around you. It’s universal, but deeply personal—classic Jack Horton.
Listen to “Set Me Free” on Spotify or SoundCloud
Follow Jack Horton here for more information
