Even before releasing a full-length project, the name ‘Hudson Westbrook’ had already landed in conversations about today’s hottest country acts. His first few singles earned him a solid wave of early traction, but it was “House Again” that truly turned the most heads. It was the kind of song that didn’t just stream well, but sold tickets. Since then, he’s gotten the opportunity to open for some of the genre’s biggest acts, including Parker McCollum, an early influence whose shadow loomed large over early cuts like “Two Way Drive.” With the release of Texas Forever, he’s planting his flag, bringing Texas pride with him both in spirit and sound.
From top to bottom, Texas Forever leans into real instruments and lived-in textures, with steel, fiddle, and lots of twangy guitar. It’s the kind of production that reinforces what fans already think when they hear Hudson’s name: that he’s not faking a thing. One of the most unique strengths of Texas Forever is its varied sound, which never feels scattered. Each track brings its own vibe, yet they are all still undeniably Hudson Westbrook songs. That’s largely thanks to his voice — gritty, expressive, and surprisingly adaptable. He slips just as naturally into the slow burn of “Lie To Me” as he does the upbeat swagger of “Momma Raised a Winner,” carrying a sense of identity through every shift in style. No matter the tempo or tone, there’s a shimmer of Texas running through it all.
Several tracks from Texas Forever had already been released as singles, and their placement throughout the project works to its advantage. Familiar cuts like “Funny Seeing You Here” and “Weatherman” feel right at home on the tracklist, offering well-timed moments of familiarity in a 17-song run. This method helps pace the album in a way that seems intentional, breaking up the new material just enough to let it breathe without overwhelming the listener.
If there’s one track that shows how much Hudson has sharpened his pen, it’s “Lie To Me.” Early on, Hudson foreshadows the whole plot line of the song in three lines: “You said you like white gold and diamonds… Told me your size and everything… People on the fence don’t say those kinds of things.” Sung as a duet with Mackenzie Carpenter, the track seamlessly blends the voices of both artists in a soothing yet solemn performance. Hudson may have just re-released “House Again” with Miranda Lambert, but Carpenter shows she’s equally worthy of the spotlight.
While Texas Forever consistently explores themes of commitment, romance, and classic country heartbreak, the project as a whole never strikes you as one-note. Are any of these songs laced with deeper stories that a first-time listener won’t pick up? No… Will this album mark Hudson Westbrook as one of the best songwriters in country music? Likely not… But is this album full of some of the most fun, catchy tunes of the year? Undoubtedly; plus, you might find yourself truly placing yourself into the emotions of the songs, rather than just hearing them.
One thing that makes Texas Forever special is that no feeling is downplayed. In “Mine Tomorrow” and “Hill I’ll Die On,” Hudson doesn’t just show feelings of love and adoration—he uses just the right words to convince his recipient that she has his full devotion. “Painted You Pretty” and “First Time” show Westbrook’s unique method of flattery. Instead of calling a girl pretty, he explains how God must’ve spent so much time designing her that he accidentally left a literal hole in heaven that she fell through, which is admittedly quite a clever line.
When Westbrook is hurting, he doesn’t hide it—especially on songs like “Weatherman,” where a false forecast becomes a metaphor for an unexpected heartbreak. In his more downtrodden moments, you don’t just hear the pain—it hits you, like you could cry for him. That same emotional pull flips in songs like “Funny Seeing You Here,” where a classic do-you-wrong story takes an unexpected turn and gives you a reason to cheer him on.
In terms of sound, the band seems to have just as much fun as Hudson, bringing a sonic attitude to high-energy moments like on “Darlin’,” where there’s lots of swing and snap in the arrangement, without any instruments overstepping. There’s also a good amount of fiddle runs in the album that can only be described as sassy. In songs like the title track and “Fool,” the instrumentation demonstrates how to achieve a great deal with a limited amount, perfectly complementing the smooth, calmer energy with tasteful fills and well-placed solos.
Of all the notable qualities of Texas Forever, the most undeniable is the strength of the music itself. These songs have the power to resonate with mainstream country fans while also earning a place alongside Tyler Childers and Colter Wall on the playlists of anti-Nashville listeners. It won’t be complex marketing schemes or radio tours that skyrocket Hudson Westbrook’s next single. It’ll simply be the true appeal from within music. Each new release adds weight to the anchor that’s kept him in the spotlight since his 2024 debut. In just over a year, he’s proven that song by song and word by word, he knows how to capture his audience. If seventeen back-to-back, beautifully written, love-related songs don’t prove that for you… We might be listening to two different Hudson Westbrooks. What are you waiting for? Give it a spin.
