Every week, Rainbow Rodeo brings you the best new queer country music! Listen to this playlist on Spotify! Thanks to Elliott for making a parallel list on Apple Music! Listen to the parallel list on Tidal. Missed a week? Thomas Inskeep is generously keeping an archive of all music featured on this Spotify playlist.Also — if you’re looking for a belated holiday gift — you can now purchase issue 3 of Rainbow Rodeo!
Erik Lenfair — “All Night Long”
In 2024, genre is out and vibes are in. That’s very much the case for Erik Lenfair’s “All Night Long,” a dreamy, twangy ballad to the guy you really, really want to fuck. This song is NSFW so while you’ve got your earbuds in, relish in the way Lenfair’s purr transforms into a raspy snarl as he gets more and more frustrated by the object of his affections.
The Shandies — “If You Knew Me”
Married folk rock duo The Shandies bring some smoldering chemistry and heat to “If You Knew Me.” The song finds the narrator at a crossroads in their relationship, but vows that their partner will surely regret it if they act on the impulses they’re suspected of, though the narrator has certainly had it. Natalie Wlodarczyk and Shannon Stine trade harmony lines with grace and imbue the song with nothing less than loving menace.
Montana Sand — “Bricks ‘n’ Bottles (Live)”
Montana Sand’s live recording starts with what I’m pretty sure is a tornado siren (sorry I am but a naive coastal elite) before she launches into a post-apocalyptic tale. The live recording emphasizes the power of Montana Sand’s voice and her ability to embody her stories and characters convincingly — and chillingly.
Max Lane — “Ghost Towns”
Max Lane is one of the artists I’m most excited about in 2024 — I mean, you can hear it in his voice. Lane’s a natural born country singer and his stories of living hard and living dumb and living humble feel like skills he’s polished to a high sheen. “Ghost Towns” takes its sweet time unfurling with leonine grace, but it’s worth the payoff.
CJ Lawrence — “Your Part”
CJ Lawrence gets raw on “Your Part.” Produced with an intense intimacy by Lafemmebear, “Your Part” explodes with hurt and betrayal. Lawrence blasts a loved one who rejected Lawrence’s transition. There’s some recognition of the other person’s emotions, but that doesn’t put aside the hurt they’ve caused. Lawrence continues to demonstrate his penchant for cutting to the quick with his songwriting ahead of his upcoming album.