With a lot of the music played on tv and radio, sure. Same old recipe where friendly corps are trying to capitalize on "pop music" they can pump out with their many song writers, hand crafted stars, contracted labels, and the handful of companies that own every radio station across the country. Never been a good barometer of where everything is headed IMO.

There seems to be this resurgence of not-that-stuff coming out. Sturgil Simpson, Brent Cobb, Colter Wall, Cody Jinks, Jason Eady, Tyler Childers, etc. (there are many)

I say this as somebody who has never been a fan of country. Some of the most interesting stuff feels like its in their category. But I do agree almost none of it is what I've ever heard on the tv or radio. Not much new there, in my experience.

I do like Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton, though they're probably not mainstream/radio country.

Somewhat related - I don't know much enough bluegrass to distinguish between good and bad bluegrass, but I really like Billy Strings, who I discovered recently. He's great.[0]

[0] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6CyQftidOw

A friend called country "cowboy hip hop" in that it focuses a lot more on lyrical ability than actual singing skills

Lyrical ability?

Pick-up truck, tight jeans, down by the river, drinking whiskey.

Where's my grammy?

I mean it's not like mainstream hip-hop deals with hard hitting themes and complex lyrics.

Ex took it, along with the dog

No, that's Blues

The whole Lil Nas X flap couldn't more fit what you're pitching here