THE REPORT: 5/23/25
FLY AWAY WITH CERTIFIED TRAPPER
In the video for “WTFIW,” Certified Trapper uses his green screen capabilities to crudely simulate flying, like in those old tapes that people used to be able to make at the mall. The song has one of the best choruses he has written in a minute, plus that signature Logic Pro palette that inspired a million kids within the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area to do it themselves. (For those newer to the blog, please enjoy this interview I did with Certified Trapper in late 2022.)
Another Milwaukee rapper, Big Alli has a winning Midwestern melodicism. It’s Dej Loaf and J.P. eating wings together at Major Goolsby’s. You know what I’m saying? It looks like it might be back to the drawing board for the Bucks next year.
They Are Gutting A Body Of Water “American Food”
First there was American Fool—my personal favorite John Cougar Mellencamp record—and now, over four decades later, there is “American Food.” Recently, I co-wrote a tune called “American Rock Song.” I’m not quite sure what it all means, but I do know that this new track by the quartet that the kids called TAGABOW has turntable scratches on it, which I approve of. Choon!
The intro is noisy as hell. The rest is banging in an alternate-universe grime sort of way. Klein makes actual experimental music, a feat that is rarer than many might think. You won’t catch John’s Music Blog giving effusive praise to some third-tier modern classical artist.
It’s the first Lemonheads tune in almost 20 years and it’s pretty sick. I wouldn’t say that what I’m about to say is super surprising, but doesn’t this shit sound a little like Sebadoh? I mean, J Mascis plays guitar on it. Masshole majesty.
MIX OF THE WEEK: Traxman “Elevator Music"
Chicago juke and footwork legend Traxman steps into that damn elevator and presents an hour of the stuff he does best. John’s Music Blog can often feel like a hell of my own creation, but somebody has to alert the public that Traxman did a DJ set inside of an elevator.