Allow me to introduce you to the world of Mogipbob, a stage name for Alberta’s very own Jason Graves, one man who is currently originating a new vocabulary for the prairie-bred singer-songwriter. His latest release, “High on the Hog”, is a vibrant twelve-track journey that daringly hybridizes the salt-of-the-earth qualities of folk and country with the funky possibilities of 70s pop-funk. His release, which dropped on the 20th of October, is an interesting example of contemporary craftsmanship. While all the subject matter is based directly on the experiences and observations of Jason, the tunes themselves are  performed by higher-grade AI. This synergy indeed has allowed songwriting to stand undisputed as the star of the show, yielding a professional sound that doesn’t lose that human heartbeat. This is an innovative collection of “life as I see it,” and it’s time we dived into the stories behind these songs.

The album starts off with the title track, “High on the Hog,” which starts off with the slamming of a screen door, accompanied by a dry, percussive guitar riff reminiscent of playing on a back porch. The intro took me to the rodeo because of the choice of instruments. The song, an ode to blue-collar workers, deals with the sudden transition from “rusty pans” to “biscuits and gravy” and is a folk rocker that makes listeners feel as if they have just won the lottery, even though they still have to wear the same dirty old boots. In other words, it’s a triumphal, if somewhat humorous, opening track that celebrates the “steak for the dog” lifestyle with an energetic, rowdy vibe. This song is just a reminder to live because life is for the living, and because we’re not immortal, we need to live it up. This song opened the album with a kind of fire I wasn’t expecting and didn’t even know I needed.

Following this theme is “She’s Too Hairy for Me,” which starts off as a surprisingly upbeat tune with a blues vibe that was so delicious. It is stripped back so, you can soak in the song deeply. However, as with most of the songs in the album, there is so much going on under the surface in regards to the themes of attraction and the things we tell ourselves to keep people at an arm’s length.  The character in the song meets a lady who he seems to have really liked but here’s the kicker, as soon as they are alone and she takes off her coat, he is repulsed because she was very hairy. This song also means something deeper. It also talks about beauty standards for women, even though it is our bodies. Women are expected to look hairless and clean to be seen as desirable which is unfair if you’re as hairy as this woman. Now, her hairy body might have been her giving up on shaving because it doesn’t work or, she’s owning the hair on her body and refusing to be tamed. The musicality is frenetic, yet awfully quiet, making the listener be shocked at the absurdity while thinking about their own shallowness.

The mood changes with the beginning of “Blame the Cat,” which commences with a sneaky bassline and a upbeat snare hit. The song’s lyrics get into the business of excuse-making with the pet standing in for the singer’s personal failing or missed opportunities.  The character in the song has seemingly, made excuses for everything he has done, without taking accountability. He uses the cat as a metaphor to represent people who don’t want to take responsibility for their choices and behavior. It’s a groovy tune with a mid-tempo beat that points to Mogipbob’s capability for taking a commonplace observation in the household and making a quasi-psychological analysis out of it, leaving the listener with the uncomfortable sense of guilt for having been guilty not once or twice but many times.

“Eileen” is the next  song  on the record. The song that begins with a melancholy, sustained guitar chord and an atmospheric stringed instrument in the background. This is a classic “the one who stayed” ballad, with a focus on the quiet dignity of the woman with a wobbly leg. This Eileen explains why she’s named way and it’s because she leans when she’s doing anything at all. Eileen isn’t ashamed of herself and wont be limited. The music itself is lush and cinematic in scope, with AI-assisted strings that have a surprising depth of soul to create a heavy, nostalgic impact that lasts long after the song has ended.(who said AI was all bad?)

“Even Steven”,  is the song that follows. The song, which kicks off with a great, catchy, ‘ 80’s -style pop-rock guitar riff and horned instrument that sounds imediately familiar. The concept, which is one of balance in terms of winning and losing, is delivered with a relaxed, “it is what it is”-style attitude. The character in the song doesn’t stress too much about anything because he has fully embraced the “you win some, you lose some” mentality. It’s a really catchy, earwormy tune that makes the concept of unfairness in life somehow oddly engaging.

Up next is “Gimme That Dirty Bird”, which kicks off with a distorted slide guitar that growls and growls. It’s the sonic equivalent of indulging in the less-than-savory pleasures of life, the metaphor being the “dirty bird” as representing the unrefined aspects of our personalities but simply put it’s about a character’s love for chicken. He even mentions the colonel’s juicy fried bird KFV. It’s upbeat, entertaining and witty and requires you to turn the volume up and dance all day.

“She Thickened Up” begins with a soft strum and a colorful combination of jazz infused melodies.  While it’s a rather uncommon folk ballad about the beauty of age and the changes that come with it, the narrator’s appreciation for his partner in the song being “thicker” with age is endearing. The folk ballad is a rather positive commentary on the beauty of the human form.  This character is not cringed out by the curves that his partner has gotten. Whether she got it by giving him children or not, he respects his partner’s body despite the fact that it had changed. If you like jazz, this song will drive you crazy, if you don’t, that’s no problem, because, the song is so fun, upbeat and completely irresistible

“Soap on a Rope,” continues the album. The song which starts with a fun, jazz infused melody and trumpet sounds that will completely melt you down. The subject matter deals with the elusive nature of dropping a soap. Yes you heard me, soap. This song is a fun little number about a persona whose grandmother taught him a way to keep his soap from slipping from his Ganda when he was in the shower. According to this character, this invention has made his showers so much more easier. He thanks his grandmother and gives a shout out to the person who made up that invention. The instrumentation is fun and the lyrics of the song will make you smile. Listeners will definitely love this song like I did!

The final stretch kicks off with “The Longest Goodbye,” which might be considered the most emotional piece on the album. It opens with a solitary, wailing and emotive violin melody part that seems to cry through an empty hall. The lyrical content is a heart-wrenching study of how long grief can be. Let’s say your partner dies early on, since you are young, it means that you might be mourning for the rest of your life. Healing isn’t impossible it’s just very long and very hard and the lyrics capture that feeling perfectly. The musicality is sparse and bare, and the effect is horribly relatable, making the listener confront the “long goodbyes” in their own life.

“Them There Blazers” opens with a driving country infused guitar melody that will captivate you so deeply. The song carries a number of themes that are about “putting on airs,” using the image of a flashy blazer as a means to mock aspects of people seeking higher social standings in life. It is a high-energy, fun track that is a much-needed respite after the darkness of the previous song.

The penultimate track, “Unemotional Rollercoaster”, opens with smug, groovy guitar chords that lope forward at a relaxed pace. The lyrics describe the superpower of detachment, watching life’s chaos from a distance without letting it move you.  The character in the song is unmoved by life’s billows and always hopes for the best.The musicality is “cool” personified, with a steady, confident beat that never rushes, leaving the listener feeling calm, collected, and utterly unbothered.  I would very much like to be like the character in this song and I appreciate the artist for sharing this message.

Finally, the album closes with When Summer Fades, starting with a soft, violin melody  and a vocal performance that is so, so emotive and tender. The theme is the inevitable passage of time and the bittersweet acceptance of life’s seasons. It is a slow-burn acoustic finale that ties the album’s themes of growth, loss, and prosperity together, leaving the listener in a state of quiet, peaceful reflection as the music slowly dissolves into the sounds of the night. I must say that this song made me appreciate each and every season that the year brings because, each season, carries its own special memories. This breathtaking song ends the album

Mogipbob’s first outing is less a conventional album and more a master class in prairiesoul storytelling, with the twelve resulting tracks as extensive and genuine as the Alberta landscape in which they were born. It’s a brilliant, genre-bending elixir of traditional country grit and innovative flair, showing that the best songs don’t just sit in a box-they kick the sides out. Throughout this record, Mogipbob crafts a nuanced narrative of nostalgia and perseverance, making sure that no matter where an otherwise melancholy tune may lead, a snappy inoculation of wit and seasoning of wisdom will not be far behind to lift the spirits anew. This music feels lived, it feels real, it captures the very fabric of an individual who has persevered through life’s tribulations, laughed unequivocally at life’s absurdities, and had the skill to set this path to music that was simply perfect. Frankly, this record is a hauntingly beautiful success, and it represents an artist of which I can only anticipate with true enthusiasm to see more in the very near future

Stream the “High On The Hog” album on Spotify

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