“Texas Forever” said by an Oklahoman is very rare, but this Okie raised singer will say it again and again.
Friday, July 25, Hudson Westbrook released his debut album Texas Forever and I cannot get enough of it. The rhythms, melodies, instrumentals, vocals, and lyrics are jaw dropping.
Texas Forever has 17 tracks in total. Eight of the tracks were released prior to the album’s release. These tracks are Texas Forever, Funny Seeing You Here, House Again, Damn Good Taste In Whiskey, Weatherman, Sober, Dressed Down, and Mine Tomorrow.
These songs took the world by storm, making the expectations for the album, which was announced on May 30, much higher. Westbrook is one of the many upcoming country music artists and this album is “sipping and living proof.” Many people know of Westbrook from his popular song House Again on his debut EP, but I discovered Westbrook last November.
The first song I ever heard of Westbrook’s was Dopamine. This song was on repeat for me. When I say on repeat, I mean every time I played music to clean my room or drive somewhere, the song was played. Since this song I have been hooked.
I started following Westbrook and discovering his other music and learned his story. A year ago, Westbrook was a student attending Texas Tech University. Now he has been writing songs and touring the country.
So far this year I have seen Westbrook in concert twice. Once in January and the second time in April. The songs on streaming platforms do not compare to the live versions. At both concerts, Westbrook played some of these songs saying they might be released. In reality, he already knew he would be releasing them. I first heard Weatherman in January. I first heard Damn Good Taste In Whiskey in April.
Each and every one of these songs speaks volumes. I am truly in love with his album. Everyone says they want to be loved like a Hudson Westbrook song. I am a part of everyone.
Each track flows together making the album a number one hit, at least in my books. I would say I have three number ones: Darlin’, Painted You Pretty, and Hill I’ll Die On.
If I had to rank the album,
1) Darlin’, Painted You Pretty, Hill I’ll Die One
2) Damn Good Taste In Whiskey
3) Funny Seeing You Here
4) Only Girl
5) Weatherman
6) House Again
7) Sober
8) Dressed Down
9) Mine Tomorrow
10) Texas Forever
11) Burning Love
12) First Time
13) Fool
14) Lie To Me (Ft. Mackenzie Carpenter)
15) Momma Raised a Winner
Do not get me wrong; they are all great songs. I just have not vibed with the ones I ranked lower. The ones that are ranked higher just spoke to me right away.
Momma Raised a Winner is not my cup of tea. The music is the upbeat rhythm Westbrook is known for, but the lyrics just do not grab me.
Burning Love is decent. It has a smooth feel throughout the whole song. This song has to be played at the right time. It is a song I cannot necessarily scream at the top of my lungs because that is not the vibe of the song.
Weatherman to Texas Forever in my rankings is basically one big ole group. These songs have been released for two months or longer. When they first came out, I could not stop playing them. They are in the middle of my rankings just because they have been out for a bit.
My Spotify is going to hate me; Westbrook is going to love me because my top six songs are going to be played non-stop. They are just that good.
I am a diehard fan of Westbrook and that will not change. This album is just the beginning. You will catch me at another one of his concerts because all these songs need to be heard live. Plus, the band and Westbrook’s walk out song is a killer moment.
Cassie Srock is a second-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
