Following the success of Swindell's 2022 album Stereotype, he began work on Spanish Moss. 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. 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 to Savannah, Georgia. Though the title track ultimately became a love song, the moment helped shape the album's name and concept. A photograph taken by Minton of the moss that day was used as the album's cover.
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. "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. During that time, Swindell briefly stepped away from music to focus on his personal life before returning to complete the project.
The album was officially announced in early 2025 and released on June 27, 2025. "Forever to Me" was the first single from the record, reaching number two on Billboard's Country Airplay. A second promotional single, the title track, was released on March 28, 2025. "We Can Always Move On" was released as the album's second single.
Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source
Rating
Country Central
4.8/10
Entertainment Focus
Critics gave Spanish Moss a mixed reception, praising its authenticity and standout moments while criticizing its length and thematic repetition. 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. 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."
Creed Miller of Country Central also critiqued the album's length, calling it bloated and occasionally dull. He described it as "a grind to listen to... not bad enough to hate, but not good enough to remember."
