Post 80's mainstream country is God awful. You need to go off the beaten path to find the good stuff. Basically, if it's on commercial radio, it's probably not something you want to hear.I have to listen to a lot of country at work and it's just the worst shit
Bro country is an anathema to culture. I have a Spotify playlist dedicated to how awful Nashville is and no one should listen to it. Luke Bryan is disproportionately represented in it. I like a couple Garth Brooks songs but I'm saving them for a guilty pleasures thread. Current country makes him look like the new Johnny Cash who stepped out of a country-western wear store.
The Devil Makes Three is a hell of a lot of fun. I introduced them to my wife who in turn introduced me to Pokey LaFarge. When I want to show people that there is still good country out there, Justin Townes Earle is my go to guy. He's actually on the same label as Lydia Loveless. Drive by Truckers is always a safe bet too. Because people, me included, love to lump alt country/bluegrass/old-timey music all under one category, I'm often quick to share Old Crow Medicine Show and Trampled by Turtles as well.