Upon release, the album received mixed reviews. Critics praised its emotional sincerity and several standout tracks, while others noted the lengthy runtime and a lack of sonic cohesion.
Background
Following the success of Swindell's 2022 album Stereotype, which produced three Platinum certified, multi-week number one hits—including "Single Saturday Night," "Never Say Never" with Lainey Wilson, and the five-week chart-topper "She Had Me at Heads Carolina"—he began work on Spanish Moss.[1] The title of the album was inspired by a golf trip in the 30A region of Florida, when co-writer Jordan Minton asked Swindell what the material hanging from trees was.[2] The phrase "Spanish moss" sparked a memory of Swindell's late father, who once left moss hanging from his truck's gas cap after a visit in Savannah, Georgia.[2] Though the title track ultimately became a love song, the moment helped shape the album's name and concept.[2] A photograph taken by Minton of the moss that day was used as the album's cover.[2]
Swindell stated that the project had been "a work in progress for over two years," adding that it was challenging to follow up Stereotype's success.[1] "Life changed a lot for me in the best way since the last project," he said, referring to his 2024 wedding to his longtime girlfriend and their upcoming first child.[1][2] During that time, Swindell briefly stepped away from music to focus on his personal life before returning to complete the project.[2]
Themes
Swindell described Spanish Moss as a balanced collection of songs that reflect joy, grief, nostalgia, and growth.[1] The tracklist features autobiographical material as well as traditional country themes like heartbreak, family, small towns, and resilience.[1] "Forever to Me," the album's lead single and a top 10 radio hit, was inspired by a conversation about wedding songs and written as a tribute to Swindell's wife.[2] The title track blends personal imagery with universal emotion, and other songs like "Dale Jr." and "Heads Up Heaven" serve as tributes to Swindell's late parents.[1][2]
"Dale Jr." was co-written with Greylan James and Matt Alderman and pays homage to both NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt and Swindell's late father, who was a fan of Earnhardt and attended the Daytona 500 when the Earnhardt was fatally injured in 2001.[2] Swindell's friendship with Dale Earnhardt Jr. was sparked after he released "You Should Be Here," a 2016 tribute to his father.[2] He said he sent "Dale Jr." to Earnhardt Jr. after writing it, and the song resonated due to their shared experience of losing a parent.[2]
Lighter and more upbeat fare is included with songs like "Kill a Prayer," "We Can Always Move On," and "Longneck List" offer energetic, arena-ready sounds, while tracks like "'99 Problems" reflect on hindsight and personal growth in adulthood.[1][2]
Release and promotion
The album was officially announced in early 2025 and released on June 27, 2025.[1] "Forever to Me" was the first single from the record, reaching number two on Billboard's Country Airplay.[2] A second promotional single, the title track, was released on March 28, 2025.[1] "We Can Always Move On" was released as the album's second single.[3]
In support of the album, Swindell completed his Win the Night Tour in 2024 and embarked on his first international tour as an opener for Cody Johnson and his Leather Deluxe Tour with dates in Australia and New Zealand in early 2025.[1][2] He has said he plans to balance continued touring with fatherhood and married life, stating, "I want to keep getting better—better as an artist, better as a songwriter. But now, I also want to focus on being a good dad and husband."[2]
Critics gave Spanish Moss a mixed reception, praising its authenticity and standout moments while criticizing its length and thematic repetition.[5] While tracks like "Forever to Me," "Dale Jr.," "Dirty Dancing," and "Happy Hour Sad" were highlighted for their emotional depth and creative flair, others such as "'99 Problems" and "One Day" were seen as filler.[5] James Daykin of Entertainment Focus noted that "trimmed down by five or six tracks, this could have been Swindell's most personal and potent project yet."[5]
Creed Miller of Country Central also critiqued the albums length, calling it bloated and occasionally dull.[4] He described it as "a grind to listen to... not bad enough to hate, but not good enough to remember."[4]
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