ALBUM REVIEW: Sam Torres: A Journey on the Hudson
**This review originally appeared in our June 2026 print issue**
Photo by Zach Durocher
“Torres has put together a stunning arrangement that pays homage to the mighty river that connects us to the world.”
It’s not often that an album challenges me. Hudson, the latest from Sam Torres, certainly did and in the process, also expanded my musical taste. These songs are not the typical verse/chorus/verse composition. In fact, other than some harmonies, it’s entirely instrumental. Hudson is technically all one song broken into three parts that, while separate, need each other to complete the picture.
Broken into parts I, II, and III, the song was written as a bit of a love letter to the Hudson River. Torres explains that the idea started out a decade ago while he was a student at the Manhattan School of Music.
“Having grown up in the Bronx near the Hudson, I was around it a lot and was always interested in its history as well as the visual artwork it inspired,” Torres says.
“Manhattan School of Music is also located just a few blocks from the river in Harlem, and I decided to write a piece for an 11-player chamber ensemble and create a video of different scenes from up and down the river to pair with the music,” he continues.
Being that this is an album review, and not a video review, I very specifically wanted to avoid the visuals of the music video that Torres created for Hudson until after this piece was written. I did this so that I could conjure my own visuals, and then compare them to Torres’ “official” ones.
Hudson begins in the most subtle and cinematic way. I imagined that the opening of the album might be set on a dock. The strings, ambient bass, and delicate piano created such an atmosphere, that I could almost hear seagulls, and feel the cool moisture of the river in the morning.
An understated opener that’s able to convey evocative imagery in its subtlety. “‘Part I” is the perfect prologue to the jaunty journey up the river that Parts II and III bring.
“Hudson Part II” begins with a lilting melody on piano that is soon joined by punchy percussion and a commanding violin. The sharp contrast between this upbeat arrangement in comparison to the atmospheric and somber “Part I” is clear from the start. While “Part I” seems to be more reflective, invoking a feeling of longing or looking forward to a journey, “Part II” says that the journey has begun. Tempo changes, poly-rhythms, and even an angelic choir serve to keep the second act of this musical trilogy interesting.
“Part III” keeps the musical trek full steam ahead. This ambitious conclusion to Hudson never lets up. It’s brash, manic, and utterly satisfying. If Hudson were a movie, “Part III” would not only be the “thrilling conclusion,” but certainly the fan favorite.
Backed by an all-star lineup of musicians — including Sophia Vastek on piano, Mitsuko Suzuki and Jess Bowen on violin, Laura Melnicoff on cello, Julia Alsarraf on electric guitar, and Nick Tariello on drums — Torres has put together a stunning arrangement that pays homage to the mighty river that connects us to the world.
Hudson is available here: https://samtorresmusic.bandcamp.com/album/hudson
