Ryan Langdon

Ryan Langdon is "Country Like You."

In the few years since we've heard from - the hunky, Ontario-based former MLB prospect with the oak-barrel baritone - the singer and songwriter behind "Lit In The Sticks," the Top 40 radio hits that has registered more than 3 million streams on Spotify has been kept off the road, like everyone else, by COVID restrictions.

But now he's back with a brand new hit and five-song Slaight Music/Hidden Pony EP called Country Like You, with the first single and title track co-written by the 6'3" Langdon with Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Famer Patricia Conroy and Dave Thomson, two of the writers responsible for  Lady A's smash No. 1 "Champagne Nights."

He's been working hard on his craft - and while "Country Like You" is a love song that covers the embodiment of a country music lifestyle in a romantic partner, there's also an underlying theme of blue-collar sentiment.

"Hard work is a very attractive aspect of life," notes the 30-something Langdon. "Dedication to your job, whether it's as a musician or as a labourer, is something to be admired. And that's what 'Country Like You' is somewhat about:  the salt-of-the-earth spirit of country and doing what needs to be done - no excuses."

Aside from re-teaming with the aforementioned Conroy and Thomson, Langdon also wrote with  Karen Kosowski and Emma-Lee, part of the team behind Mickey Guyton's anthemic "What Are You Gonna Tell Her?"

"The one good thing about the pandemic - if you can call it 'good' - is that it allowed me to work harder on my songwriting," Langdon explains. "I wanted to retain a bit of the edge I showed with Lit In The Sticks and add in a bit more authenticity for 'Country Like You,' and I think we've accomplished it with this new EP."

Continuing the fun country vibe and playful spirit of previous releases like "Buck Wild" and "Best Night" with the roaringly raucous song "This Beer's On Me" and the banjo-driven smalltown tribute "We Were There,"  the Country Like You EP also features the reflective romanticism of "Whaddya Know About That" and the poignant ballad "Friends Don't Let Friends"  - a thoughtful tune about comforting a friend after their particularly bad breakup.

"I'm always searching for a really genuine sound and sentiment in my music," says the charismatic Langdon, who names Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, George Strait and Chris Young as his primary country music influences.

"My goal is  to give my fans extremely relatable music that either helps  them escape and offers them a good time or touches their hearts regarding a situation they've gone through."

With five  Top 40 hits under his belt - "Leave Me Right," "Crossfaded," "Best Night" "Only Leave Me Right" and  "Lit In The Sticks' - Ryan Langdon is just getting started - and he can hardly wait to get back on the bus.

"I'm chomping at the bit to get back out there."

Catch him on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.