Country music has a new name to know: Hudson Westbrook. The 21-year-old Texas native has released his debut album, Texas Forever, a 17-track collection that doubles as a love letter to his Lone Star roots. Entirely co-written by Westbrook with a tight circle of collaborators, Texas Forever overflows with down-home charisma and youthful storytelling. From the simply strummed opener “Darlin’” to the rowdy, beer-raising anthem “Momma Raised A Winner,” the album proudly wears its twang on its sleeve, firmly rooted in the Red Dirt country tradition.
Westbrook showcases his range across the record. He can croon a lovesick ballad like “Fool” with a tender warble, then switch gears to the raw emotion of “Lie To Me” — a duet with rising singer Mackenzie Carpenter that lays heartbreak bare. Despite the sonic polish, there’s a rough-edged authenticity in Westbrook’s voice and lyrics that keeps the album feeling honest and lived-in. It’s the sound of a young artist embracing the classic country playbook while adding his own modern flair.
The journey to Texas Forever has been something of a whirlwind for Westbrook. “It’s still hard for me to wrap my mind around the last 15 months,” he admits. “I was breaking bulls and putting up fences a year ago, and now we’re releasing my debut album.” That humble ranch-hand background fuels much of the album’s down-to-earth charm. Texas Forever captures Westbrook’s past and present, and he hopes it resonates well beyond his home state. As he proudly puts it, “I’m proud to be from Texas, and I carry that with me everywhere I go… Texas forever.” With this impressive debut, Hudson Westbrook is making sure his home state pride and heartfelt songs are heard loud and clear.
