Dustin Brown - Dustin Brown (2025) Hi-Res

Honest and Gritty Blue Collar, Small Town Americana Stories From Texan singer/songwriter.

Texan Dustin Brown started out playing music and writing songs aged around 12, before graduating to biker bars after leaving school as well as working in the gas and oil industry, and even commercial diving to pay the bills; before becoming serious about making music his life.

The self-titled Dustin Brown album is his third full length release, and sees him come of age musically and otherwise; as he reflects on entering a new stage in his life, one that sees him gain greater maturity.

Skins And Shirts has him laying it on the line, with an unrelenting rhythm, striking lead electric guitar aiding his lived-in, muscular tones. Knowing nothing of his back catalogue; a wonderful momentum is struck and instantly you realise his descriptive lyrics are of the kind to become, and remain stuck in your head for a long time.

What I like here is the strong lead electric guitar and earthy working man’s music, making his stories evoke much imagery, coupled with some solid playing; Brown’s unshaven vocals are honest and totally believable from first to last.

Ain’t No Love takes on a different approach with a melancholic opening; reminiscent of fellow singer-songwriter, Sam Lewis as he deals in a reflective fashion of small towns, workingman themes and family life.

Brown tells us of how there is no love in Amarillo, Austin and how Dallas never fails to leave him blue… It doesn’t get much better than this.

Michael Martin Murphy and other singer-songwriters come to mind as several genres meet on Heartless, 1970s West Coast, Folk, Pop and Texas Country too as Brown generates a strong, stinging dynamic as these musical boundaries are straddled with ease.

As we near the end of the album Old Houses opens, slowly with his strong, hard hitting lyrics and matching vocals commanding pole position as the lead electric guitar and supporting cast grind it out in a classy fashion, wishing his love was with him while he’s way working; covered in grease, head to toe, his hands hurting like never before. ‘Another day of the same old, same old’ something we can all resonate with.

The album closes with another timeless and honest tale of Small Town America; Baby Don’t Drink My Bear which just might be the best if not memorable song on terrific album!