FULL ALBUM REVIEW: Texas Forever By Hudson Westbrook
- ryanbartscher
- Aug 6
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 17
Huson Westbrook's Debut Album is out, and it doesn't disappoint. I'm amazed by his ability to cut out the nonsense and use his vocals in many tracks on the record to tell the story. Kind of the Golden Boy this year in Country Music, you have to look deeper into this album to really get the gravity of the work that was put in. Some might shrug it off as a typical young country wannabe album, but I can say it most definitely is not! Proven with witty song premises and Hudson's voice telling the story you couldn't go wrong. It is a very relaxing album, Perfect for younger listeners who want a little grasp of what the genre is about. I had a lot of fun and laughs actually diving deep into this record. I think the best part about this album versus others is the continued growth in likability you experience as you listen. My analysis got longer and longer as I listened. Hudson Westbrook has 4 proven single successes on this album with three to sit and be hopeful for radio plays. While most people don't even know him yet, there is massive potential and it's being recognized early in his career.
Questions to Answers:
Will this Album project Hudson into next spring?
I believe he will have to have one more single to get to the Spring with continued radio prominence.
Will Hudson get a nod at the CMA or ACM Awards?
I do not believe he will get that hotly contested slot for a performance on the CMAs or ACMs. However, the only way that would happen if the Duet with Miranda Lambert takes off or the board members want to showcase the young talent that came in droves this last year. It would be really cool for them to do the same thing they did for the Best New Artist in the Grammy's having Sam Barber, Ty Myers, and Hudson Westbrook perform in a row, highlighting the young talent this year. Just a cool idea.
Will Hudson win the battle of the young talent this year?
I believe Sam Barber is really doing well also however, Hudson does seem more mainstream in general. His sound, style, and appeal. The Duet with Lambert shows an indicator Westbrook could be in the process of being groomed for the top level. You never know...lol
Album Track Ratings and Analysis:
Darlin' ⭐⭐⭐⭐😘🎯
The song could have been called the title track but last-minute Hudson changed it. The melody is playful and has an ease to it. The song is about Hudson stealing the affections of a girl with a rival guy to beat. Comfortable with himself he knows he will win the girl. His confidence wins the girl’s affection. In his vocals there is a pinch of arrogance over how he knows he will win her heart. Perfect storytelling for his base of fans. He seals the deal with, “Well I told her she was beautiful so she knows it, and I could tell by her smile she was over you.” Great way to lead off the album. I could see this song being released as a single, but i don’t believe it will happen.
Texas Forever⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯
The title track of the album. Receiving great reviews and streams. This is an introduction to young love. Hudson’s beautiful affirming words like, “Where we grew up, fell in love, is forever in my bones.” Seeing that he has traditional beliefs and beautiful young love in his life, he believes his fame and the highway won’t change their lifetime connection. He said, “Well, the highways in my veins, but you’ll always have my heart.” It’s heartwarming to see him display loyalty at such a young age. It fits the mold for a young country guy. Singing to his love. Young girls will eat it up. Melodically and vocally it’s pretty simple, but the use of strings in the instrumentation is really nice and swells as the song moves to the end. A great song! Not my favorite choice for the next radio smash, but it is doing well in streams.
Painted You Pretty⭐⭐⭐⭐🎯
Funny Seeing You Here⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯
The song is about the experience you have at the bar when you're struggling, and your dream comes true. Your ex shows up in your small-town dive bar upset. Right away there are great specific lyrics that draw you into the bar scene, “Neon signs” and “Going through hell” to get here paints the picture of the scene. He is surprised it’s an old girlfriend, who he thought was about to tie the knot and “change her last name.”. She just shows up. Karma can be tough. The genius part of this song is it gets you pulled in the repeated side comments of Hudson, like “Looks like you could use a beer”, “What goes around, comes around, ain’t that what they say?”, and the title lyric “Funny seeing you here.” The background to the song is excellent. Sounds like a good ole country band in the beginning and it grows into a full mainstream modern country rock sound. Hudson’s playing in this bar and singing his song of revenge. There is a great quick interlude with electric guitar and other instruments. Both artist and musicians keep it interesting from beginning to end. This is a HIT and it’s obvious! Overall, a very traditional country bar song with a great mainstream modern twist. This is a MUST listen for most Country Fans! Is playing on radio now as a single and needs to blow up!.
Fool⭐⭐⭐❤️
Mamma Raised a Winner⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️
House Again⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯
The HIT that put Hudson on the map in Country Music, that continues to grow in popularity and streams. The great part of this song comes in his vocals. You can tell that he has lost his love and she has moved out. He is singing the country blues. With great looseness he executes this slow, back and forth wave of vocals that brings in the audience, wanting more. He released a version of this song with Miranda Lambert that is excellent also. The original is better, because the character he is creating is drunk, depressed, and alone. All achieved and believable. Lyric gems like, “The porch swing don’t swing, and the door bell don’t ring” bring a touch of humor to a greatly put together song. This song is already a HIT, but I believe it will be remembered as the song that broke him in on country radio.
Lie To Me (Feat. Mackenzie Carpenter) ⭐⭐😒
Burning Love⭐⭐⭐
Damn Good Taste in Whiskey⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐😍🎯
The lyric and melodic start and finish to this song is one of a kind. “Well damn, it looks like I’ve gone done did it again:” is received with great humor at the very end of the song. As a fan it will be easy to scream at live performances. The melodic structure is set up as a slow dance song. It’s easy to imagine couples dancing in a bar scene to this song. Hudson is a one-night stand man in this song. He says tongue and cheek that he has a “bad taste in women, but a great taste in whiskey.” The overall mood is great for a honkytonk or bar anywhere, so it makes sense this is one of the highest streaming songs that is new to the album and repertoire. Speaking from his whiskey experience he says, “Liquor and the ladies don’t mix like you wantem to.” The chorus is catchy and hilarious if you pay attention. In other words, he’s a playboy and gets himself in trouble drinking too much whiskey. A common theme in country music, but it’s the way his vocals and catchy lyrics weave the story. Also, there are great dynamics in the instrumentation and vocals. There is a climax to the song, which is pretty cool. Might be the point he loses control under the influence of the whiskey. A great track that should be a bigger single. I feel this song is yet to hit its stride. We will see if “Texas Forever” or “Painted You Pretty” beat this one to radio praise. I’m pulling for this song! I believe this is a HIT! I recommend this to all Country Music Fans!
Only Girl⭐⭐⭐
First Time⭐⭐😒
Weatherman⭐⭐⭐😒
You’ve heard the old saying, “Blame it on the weatherman”? Well, that’s this song in a nutshell. Hudson wakes up this day and turns on the weather channel. Fortunately, he has a sunny day before him, he believes. The day ends up cloudy and his girl leaves him. Hudson blames the weatherman for the bad luck with the girl, which gives him the excuse to lament over a bottle of whiskey. Honestly, I enjoy the melody, the cuteness of the idea, but I don't find it as deep as its fellow records on the album. This being played over “Texas Forever” and “Damn Good Taste in Whiskey” right now on the radio truly confuses me. But the song is a smaller success and with even bigger and better (in my opinion) singles on the album, it just shows Hudson will be touring with this music for some time. The overall song is good, not great!
Sober⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐😍🎯
This infectious song is one of Hudson’s best to date. The way he uses this idea that he is on this bender of alcohol, and he will never be sober again, because he is that far deep in love. The lyrics are so interesting and great. Pretty cool premise. The chorus has a great catch to it, that separates itself from the verse with a slowdown of lyrics to start. “I was in love last night” he says as if still drunk in love. “That sundress was spinnin me out of my mind. Turnin’ me on, one kiss at a time” Hudson is spinning out of his own mind in love with what happened. But this is where Hudson shines. His choices vocally with the second run-through of the chorus into the bridge and back to the chorus. There are small differences in his vocal inflections that are really great. It is as if he is being almost seductive in his own world of being seduced. It’s like he is just smiling at her with a wink in his eye. Really great work! The bridge in between has great melodic choices which added flavor to the story. You can probably tell I really enjoy this song. It is a HIT! There is just so much there vocally on such a simple song. I give this one to Hudson for pulling it off. It is just done so well!
Dressed Down⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯
Mine Tomorrow ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hill I'll Die On ⭐⭐⭐
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