It was lower than a 12 months in the past that we had been praising younger up-and-coming West Texas nation artist Hudson Westbrook as one of many names chargeable for the surging reputation of conventional nation. Within the wake of Hudson’s 2024 self-titled EP, the opinion was shared, “You probably have any reservations about declaring that the nation music revolution is in full drive, an evaluation of Hudson Westbrook will promote you on the thought quick.”
And the reward didn’t cease there. “[Westbrook] reminds you numerous an early Parker McCollum: good-looking, trustworthy, squared away, and somebody you count on to be singing buzzy, radio-centric tracks over 808-beats. You’re pleasantly shocked when as an alternative you hear songs that includes fiddle and metal guitar, and writing that doesn’t look to pander to anybody, and as an alternative speaks truthfully in regards to the joys and struggles of affection and distance.”
What a distinction a serious label deal could make. Signing with River Home Artists / Warner Music Nashville in June, this resulted in Hudson’s debut album Texas Without end the place he began to take a considerably extra modern/mainstream flip, even when songs from that unique EP, and some different high quality new cuts had been included. Hudson’s greatest tune “Home Once more” is a good instance of a high quality modern nation tune with conventional leanings.
However all of that feels just like the distant previous since somebody thought the very best technique to get the already extraordinarily common and rapidly rising Westbrook on much more of a profitable path was to drop him in a collaboration with the horrible EDM DJ and producer Marshmellow. I don’t assume Hank accomplished it this manner.
Sure, “Higher Man Than Me” is a type of songs and collaborations that may sully the sentiment on an artist’s total profession henceforth. What does somebody like Hudson Westbrook—whose upside potential was already astronomical—assume he’s going to achieve with this? He’s shedding his grassroots followers in Texas and past for a foolish, sellout collab that doesn’t even really feel prefer it’s headed wherever important.
“Higher Man Than Me” consists of eight songwriters, none of whom is Westbrook, and 6 producers. This was a Music Row monstrosity that they had sitting on a shelf. Then the plugged in Hudson to sing on prime of a manufactured “hit.” With programmed drums and Auto-tuned vocals all through, it’s a meaningless, vapid effort that’s so corrosive, it probably spoils the man’s total catalog.
Is that this being hyperbolic? Maybe. However while you’ve constructed the inspiration on your profession off of holding it nation and giving hope to conventional nation followers, it feels such as you’ve damaged the social contract with them while you launch a tune with a man with a marshmallow on his head. Save this mess for the Kane Brown’s of the nation world.
Will this collaboration additionally create some new followers for Westbrook amongst pop listeners and Marshmello followers? Perhaps. However they received’t make up for these sturdy, grassroots, conventional nation followers who journey or die with their favourite artists, journey two counties over to see them, purchase a T-shirt and vinyl copy on the present, and inform all their mates about them. They’re there for you 20 years down the street when the hits have dried up.
You would possibly acquire a short-term burst of virality singing with Mr. Marshmallow. However the actual query is, what do you lose within the long-term?
