On High on the Hog, Jason Graves—recording as Mogipbob—leans fully into his identity as a prairie storyteller with a mischievous streak. Hailing from Hythe, Alberta, Graves builds this twelve-track collection around humor, working-life observations, and melodic instincts rooted in folk, country, and a splash of 70s pop-funk. The twist? While the songwriting is entirely his, the vocals and instrumentation are performed using AI, giving him space to focus sharply on narrative and hook. The title track, “High on the Hog,” opens the album with a groove that feels both celebratory and tongue-in-cheek. It sets the tone for a project that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still values craft. There’s a looseness in spirit, yet the melodies are tightly structured and memorable.
“She’s Too Hairy for Me” and “Blame the Cat” lean into playful absurdity. These tracks highlight Mogipbob’s comfort with humor—unfiltered, small-town, and knowingly over-the-top. They feel like songs built to spark grins and raised eyebrows, tapping into everyday situations exaggerated just enough to become musical caricatures. “Eileen” shifts the mood slightly, offering a more melodic, character-driven moment. It feels reflective without losing accessibility, suggesting that behind the jokes is a songwriter attentive to emotional nuance. “Even Steven” follows with balance-themed wordplay, riding a steady groove that nods to classic country storytelling. “Gimme That Dirty Bird” and “She Thickened Up” bring back the wink-and-nudge energy. There’s a funk-infused pulse running underneath these tracks, echoing 70s influences while remaining rooted in prairie sensibility. The grooves are easygoing and designed to stick.
“Soapon a Rope” is another example of Mogipbob’s flair for vivid, slightly offbeat imagery. It’s the kind of song that feels like it emerged from a workshop breakroom joke and grew into something strangely catchy. The album’s emotional core emerges in “The Longest Goodbye.” Here, the humor gives way to sincerity. The melody slows, the tone deepens, and the storytelling becomes more vulnerable. It’s a reminder that beneath the playful exterior lies a songwriter capable of genuine poignancy. “Them There Blazers” returns to character sketch territory, brimming with personality and likely inspired by recognizable small-town figures. “Unemotional Rollercoaster” cleverly plays with contradiction—capturing the quiet chaos of internal conflict through a steadier, more controlled musical frame. Closing track “When Summer Fades” offers a fitting finale. It’s reflective and seasonal, evoking prairie sunsets and the subtle melancholy of change. The album ends not with a punchline, but with a sigh—grounded, honest, and melodic. High on the Hog thrives on its authenticity of perspective. Even with AI-assisted performance, the heart of the record is unmistakably human: observational, humorous, occasionally tender, and proudly rooted in Alberta soil. Mogipbob may frame his stories with a grin, but he understands that the best songs—funny or heartfelt—come from lived experience.
English