Jason Graves, also known as Mogipbob when he’s writing songs, resurfaces with an album that feels about as true and satisfying as a roadside diner special. His new album, “High on the Hog,” 44 minutes, 35 seconds, features a dozen songs that are easy to dance to and rich in melodies. It blends folk and country storytelling with warm hints of '70s pop and a little gentle funk. It’s not courting or putting on a show, instead, it makes itself at home, sprawls out, and tells you what the world looks like.
The album establishes its low-key self-confidence immediately. Rhythmic basslines and soulful chord turns are intermingled with acoustic textures and classic country phrasing to lend even the quietest of songs a pulse. Mogipbob’s voice is colloquial, earthy, and quietly charming. It serves as a journey through daily observations, workday thoughts, small-town irregularities, and the laughs in life’s misfortunes.
The title track and standout “High on the Hog” are a mission statement. One of those charm exercises, made with a languid groove that nods back to old-school pop-funk, it walks the line between sincerity and good humor, spinning a simple phrase into a sly meditation on comfort and happiness and how silly it is to wish for just a little more. It’s the kind of earworm that feels earned, not manufactured, it gets stuck to without overextending itself.
Then there’s “Blame the Cat,” a witty, well-observed song that reveals the album’s sense of humor. With a bouncy beat and tongue-in-cheek anecdotes, it sums up the endearing strategies people use to avoid doing things in everyday life. Then there’s the wink, along with the skill that went into crafting the melody. "She’s Too Hairy for Me" is memorable only because it finally goes all in on the irreverence on this album. It’s got a sly, character-driven story that feels as if it comes right from life, even though the title is provocative. It’s funny, unapologetic, and musically lean, proving you can be both a laugh riot and have plenty of heart.