At the tender age of 14, Dylan Schneider stepped onto the stage with a fearless spirit and a talent that belied his years. His journey began as a young songwriter and performer, crafting melodies and lyrics that resonated deeply with audiences. With songs like ‘Two Black X’s' (2016), ‘How Does It Sound' (2017), and ‘How to Country' (2019), Schneider quickly made his mark on the country music scene, earning a devoted fan base and a strong online following.
Now, at just 24 years old, Schneider's achievements are nothing short of remarkable. With over 2 million social media followers and a staggering 400 million on-demand streams, he has become a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Sharing the stage with luminaries such as Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, and Chris Lane, Schneider has proven himself to be a promising presence in the world of country music.
Intrinsically, Dylan Schneider's debut album reveals itself to be a snapshot of modern country music infused with the angst and exuberance of a young artist finding his voice. Throughout the album, Schneider’s songwriting revolves around themes of heartbreak, relationships, and personal growth, often with a relatable mid-twenties perspective. Songs like ‘Carhartt' and ‘Country Right' draw heavily on the influence of Morgan Wallen, Dustin Lynch and Jason Aldean, blending contemporary country production with catchy, radio-friendly melodies. Schneider captures the small-town lifestyle with a fresh energy, particularly in tracks like ‘Truck I Grew Up In,' which highlights familiar country tropes while keeping them engaging and accessible.
At its heart, ‘Puzzled' is a millennial exploration of love and loss. Songs like ‘Without June' and ‘Ain’t Missin’ You' tackle breakups and the longing that comes with them, with Schneider lamenting the absence of significant relationships, often relying on familiar country comparisons like Johnny and June Carter. The deeper emotional core of the album emerges in tracks like the title track and ‘Daddy Drinks Whiskey,' where Schneider steps into more mature storytelling, exploring themes of family and sacrifice. The latter song, written for his sister, offers a powerful reflection on the impact of his father’s alcoholism, showcasing Schneider’s potential as a more thoughtful, introspective songwriter.
While the album largely focuses on post-relationship heartache—such as in ‘Put the Whiskey Away' and ‘Ruin This Town'—Schneider’s writing also hints at resilience and moving on. The former is an album highlight and shines a light on the potential that Dylan Schneider has a writer. On first listen it appears to be another song about the girl that has gone, and at heart it is, but there's a delightful, old fashioned lilting melody here and some clever wordplay around the title which makes you think he’s going to stop drinking……but it’s quite the opposite meaning! ‘Put the Whiskey Away' should be a nailed on single – it's catchy, clever and commercial with some bluesy guitars and heartbreak too. ‘Better Than You Left Me,' meanwhile, injects a brighter note into the album, signalling personal growth after a breakup, while the closing track, ‘Puzzled,' offers a biographical glimpse into the challenges Schneider has faced in his life, from his parents’ divorce to the trials of growing up and pursuing a career in music. These songs are sightly different to a lot of what's on offer here, which is designed to appeal to that 18 to 30 demographic finding their way in the world, and they certainly grabbed the interest and attention of this jaded, middle-aged Country music fan who has ‘been there' and done all that mid-twenties stuff already!
Throughout the album Schneider blends modern country with elements of R&B and rock, creating a sound that is both commercial and catchy. Songs like ‘Here Comes the Sun' and ‘Bad Decisions' feel tailor-made for live shows, packed with energy and singalong potential. Though much of ‘Puzzled' leans into familiar country themes, Schneider’s storytelling shines when he delves deeper, offering hints of the mature artist he could become.
Schneider was a writer on ‘Momma's House,' the top 5 hit for Dustin Lynch and here we get his own interpretation of that song. Schneider’s version is not too different from the original, perhaps a little lusher and richer in tone, maybe, but it fits right at home alongside all the other relatable mid-twenties relationship angst songs on this project
Overall, ‘Puzzled' is a solid debut album that resonates with the experiences of its young, mid-twenties audience, while also offering a glimpse of Schneider’s evolving songwriting abilities. It’s an album built for dancing, drinking and putting aside your worries for another day, capturing both the highs and lows of life’s journey through that tricky twenties decade. There are intriguing glimpses of the writer Dylan Schneider could become on some of the more the mature songs but lets not forget that Schneider himself is only (nearly) 25 years old so we can forgive him for doing what all the great writers tell aspiring supplicants to do – write about what you know. ‘Puzzled' is a very credible debut introduction to the world of Country music that will resonate with the people that it is meant to – let's see where Dylan Schneider goes from here. After all, it never did Dustin Lynch any harm did it?
Tracklist: 1. Carhartt 2. Country Right 3. Without June 4. Bad Decisions 5. Here Comes the Sun 6. Bad at Breaking Up 7. Ain't Missin You 8. Truck I Grew Up In 9. Buy That Girl a Beer 10. Ruin This Town 11. Put the Whiskey Away 12. Gone is What I Get 13. Momma's House 14. Better Than You Left Me 15. Daddy Drinks Whiskey 16. Puzzled Record Label: BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville Release Date: 27th September Buy ‘Puzzled' right here.
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