Review: Ryan Langdon, Lit in the Sticks

First bonus point for country belter Ryan Langdon: truth in advertising. Calling his debut EP Lit in The Sticks — and by “lit” he means “stoned” and by “sticks” he means “backwater,” so literally “lit in the sticks;” watch the video for proof — is fair warning of what’s to come. Indeed, the six songs gathered here, thoroughly baked blazers all, brashly raise the three-finger devil salute to the glorious act of getting wasted (also falling in love), notably with friends (and sometimes cats!) preferably while hollering “yee haw y’all” against the backdrop of Langdon’s canyon-deep voice and caffeinated musical cohorts.

Second bonus point for Langdon: he’s seriously invested, and every tune here, from the absurdly sticky, wink-nudge (and potentially COVID-inspired) tickler Buck Wild to the unabashed let’s-party anthem Crossfaded is played for keeps no matter how saucy the sentiment.

Third bonus point: a knock-kneed ballad (Best Night) smack in the midst, showing our man capable of powering your party all night long, then gently tucking you in when the final embers of the bonfire flicker.

Call us smitten.

Lit in The Sticks was released June 19, 2020.
Listen to it here.