#Raldo Schneider

[xyagold]

For some great modern country recommendations here's my little list:

Sturgill Simson: He's pretty open on his stand against the current state of the genre, and he covers a wide range with his music. Sound and Fury is probably one of my favorite albums of all time and it breaks the mold so hard it's practically its own thing, and even got a Netflix special! Even if Sound and Fury isn't your thing, Sturgill's more traditional stuff is still fantastic! I listen to at least one song from Metamodern Sounds in Country Music almost every day, particularly "long White Line", "Living the Dream", and "You can have the crown" are some of my most frequent choices.

Orville Peck: He leans into the slightly more somber side of things, singing about rocky relationships, pining for a distant lover, male vulnerability, or even just trampling out the days. He does it all with a dose of glamor and showmanship rarely seen in the scene. His various but iconic tasseled masquerade masks are sure to catch your eye. Also his silky smooth voice is just *chef's kiss*. Bronco is his most recent album, but of his songs my favorites are "C'mon Baby Cry", "Drive Me, Crazy", "Roses are Falling", and "No Glory in the West". (He also sang "Nowhere" for Netflix's Hilda)

Colter Wall: This rancher out of Canada is about as old school as it gets! He takes very strong inspiration from the likes of Johnny Cash in his songs. The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie or Sleeping on the Blacktop may be some of his most famous songs, but I'd wager that every track that has been put out since has been better than the last. Little Songs is far and away some of my favorites of his work. He carries the values and respects the sound of classic country while having his own identity in the mix! Out of the bunch, he's my choice for casual listening, especially when I'm out hiking, camping, gardening, or anything else outdoors related. I'm partial to "The Coyote and the Cowboy", "Sagebrush Waltz", and of course "Plain to see Plainsman".

Raldo Schneider: Nature themes and reflections on getting older. His songs have on average like 80-100 listens a piece (which I've contributed a bunch to) and he has a grand total of 48 monthly listeners on Spotify, but his music is super jolly and gives you an almost cabin type of vibe when you listen to it! It's borderline criminal how little exposure he gets so he's on the list. Raldo's comfy country music has gotten me through many rough winters, and I'm near certain you'll find similar enjoyment. If you decide to give him a listen, you'll hear songs about being snowed in, becoming a park ranger, fishing, hunting a turkey, and many more. I won't pick any favorites because almost all of his music is worth a peek.

Hawken Horse: Takes a lot of inspiration from classic Mountain Man stories and weaves tales from the perspective of someone living deep in the wilderness, crossing over mountain passes, being stalked by a Grizzly, and appreciating a sunset from the forest floor. Much more story oriented than the others on this list but still a gem regardless! My favorite of his work is probably the album "Longhunter", but the songs "J&S Hawken", and "Ol' Ephraim" stand out as well!

Anyway that's my bunch, go listen to them and you might find a new appreciation for country music!