"new country" music recomendations please


I must admit to previously not being a fan of traditional country music. However, having recently heard, bought and become adddicted to Mary Gauthier's Mercy Now, and very specifically track one, "Falling out of love"(affectionately known as the piss song in our house), I am having a closer look.

I seek a similar style of parred back, raw, "story of lifes experience", with an edge, a poetic attack which I guess the piss song is in spades. I hope someone understands my drift. I would absolutely recommend one hears Mary Gauthier's track. There must be other similar artists out there with that special creative, edgy, poetic story to tell.

Thanks for your help in advance.
aer
Some very good reccomendations listed here. All are enjoyable country music. However, very, very few of the artists and albums listed are along the vein of Mary Gauthier. For one thing most of the suggestions are country western, not the same style as Mary Gauthier.
Mary's life experiences with alcohol, drugs, prison, and unconventional sexual orientation, make her the real deal in the "I got drunk, went to prison, my dog died, my wife left me, etc." style of music.
It is the difference between listening to someone like Light'n Hopkins sing and play the blues, as opposed to some musician that is technically proficient but, never lived the life.
I'm with you, Aer, Miss Gauthier is something special. Go to her website and see if she has a live show coming near you. She is even better in person.
Solomon Burke, Nashville
Richard Buckner, Devotion & Desire
Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez, Red Dog Tracks
Jesse Sykes, Oh My Girl
Hank III, Straight to Hell (it's pop country that H3 hates)
Check out Freakwater, especially 'Endtime' and 'Springtime'. Not sure why they are not better known. Maybe a little too edgy for most country fans.
Rodney Crowell-a songwriter's songwriter. -"Fates Right Hand" may be his best work.