Friday, 18 July 2025, sees the second post reformation release from the band that sits at the apex of the Iron Maiden Family Tree. Following on from 2021’s ’74 opus, Piece By Piece sees Gypsy’s Kiss build upon that foundation and deliver an album which fuses ’70s leanings with a modern edge and ambience.
Gypsy’s Kiss – Piece By Piece
Release Date: 18 July 2025
Words: Sophie James
The Gypsy’s Kiss sextet consist of founder member David Smith on vocals and guitar, supported by the six-string strike force of Fraser Marr and Jonathon Morley. Keyboard magic comes from Ross Hunter with the rhythm section of Robin Gatcum and Stuart Emms on bass and drums, respectively.
With Piece By Piece, what immediately catches your attention is the work’s open, some may feel rare, but ultimately honest, multi-layered feel.
“Ready for another fight, the war we’ve got to wage.”
The opening of War Of The World immediately heralds a classic rock sound. Constructed around a driving riff enhanced by the triple-guitar interplay and delicately colouring keys, the poetic but pointed lyrics allude to mankind’s persistent need for conflict and the detached nature of modern-day slaying.
How many self-respecting rock fans can identify with the phrase “Tapping my feet to a misguided rhythm, that’s when the fun should begin”?
The deliciously funky yet gritty riff of Yes Yes Yes sees it motor along with a bubbly groove. The funky bass breakdown leading to an ethereal flowing solo elevates it still further. Irresistibly noddable, it will become a live favourite for sure. 
Spirit Of Lost Years represents the range of skill and ambition on the album. Yet another elegant Gypsy’s Kiss riff fortified by swirling keys and Moonesque drum fills while the expressive solo momentarily takes you on an excursion to a different plane.
The sustained opening chord of One Way Street transitions into a harmonic introduction that brings to mind the legendary Jon Lord.
Continuing the precedent set by previous tracks, its effervescent grooves and meticulous solo charms the listener, especially this one in particular.
“Soldiers fight not just for our lives.”
A Soldier’s Tale commences with a mournful guitar over marching drums and sounds of battle prior to breaking into a more upbeat groove than one may have anticipated. The lyrics, however, remain on point.
As it progresses, it takes on a new life as the solo spreads its metaphorical wings in a transcendent fashion before the above refrain is underpinned by a shimmering 12-string and exquisite piano.
All in all, a precisely crafted Gypsy’s Kiss mini-epic. 
Ross’ keyboard wizardry heralds the Bondish titled Never Say Never Again. So many melodic flourishes here reference Eastern-tinged early Rainbow and the Man in Black while the keyboard solo offers hues of synthetic Gallic flair. All combined, this was my earworm from the album.
Electrify Me serves as a remarkable showcase of instrumental expressionism. The imploring vocal tones and busy intricacies of the riff converse with asymmetric synchronicity.
However it is the unshackled keyboards, waltzing carefree across the other components that provide the dream topping. 
There is something so quintessentially British when artists delve into a more theatrical vocal performance. Living To Die is more contemporary sounding as it vents an acerbic perspective on modern life while losing none of their previous anthemic engagement.
“We’re here with three guitars, no superstars, who bear the scars.”
An exquisite classically tinged piano introduction yields to a colossal riff on the autobiographical We Come To Play. This second single, to a certain element of their fanbase, will unite nostalgia and euphoria.
Already firmly entrenched in the setlist, this could also be filed under ‘potential classic’.
From its cosmic and pulsing keyboard introduction, the Watcher with its prog dalliances transports us back to the heady days of the ’70s.
“When the world starts laughing I wonder why.”
Penultimate track The Entertainer is quite simply the pièce (by pièce) de resistance.
With its floaty introduction ceding to the iridescent acoustic, one already senses this will ascend gracefully into something truly special.
“I don’t want to be an instigator, I don’t want to be the one who tries. When the world starts calling, it’s live or die.”
The deeply introspective deliberations of the narrator are conveyed via fleeting Geddy-like timbres in David’s voice. The lyrical brevity is countered by musical aspirations that attain the scale and level of Floyd.
One is upraised and transported on a musical magic carpet ride. Make no mistake this will be the showstopping hub of any headlining set.
“Jack is back, He’s never been gone!”
Continuing society’s fascination with history’s most notorious serial killer, lead single Jack For All Times is a cleverly crafted slice of Victorian melodrama which poses the question, what if such murderous tendencies were hereditary?
Consummate storytelling by Gypsy’s Kiss set to symphonic tones driven along by a joyously ghoulish bass, the harmonic guitars further invoke the shadowy ambiance of Old London Town.
“Jack never leaves – you’ll never, never catch me!”
Piece By Piece demonstrates a momentous progression in the quality of the composing, arranging and accessibility from the ’74 album. Building on the ambition of tracks like Arabesque and A Man For All Seasons, with the triple-guitar line-up, as well as keyboards, the musical possibilities are infinite.
With maturity and years of experience exploiting the engaging narrative of David’s vocals, fluid expression of the guitars, keyboard wizardry, propelling bass and intricate drumming, this is an immediately enchanting album that continues to surprise and delight through repeated listens.
Gypsy’s Kiss – Piece By Piece will be released on Friday 18 July and is available to pre-order from https://gypsyskiss.bandcamp.com/album/piece-by-piece.
