Pug Johnson’s El Cabron is a dynamic and rollicking journey through the heart of Texas, blending humor, heartache, and honky-tonk swagger. The album is a celebration of Johnson’s eclectic upbringing in Beaumont, Texas, where the sounds of Cajun music, swamp pop, and Texas swing merged with the local rhythms of Mexican music and borderland soul. On El Cabron, Johnson channels these diverse influences into a unique version of Americana that’s as colorful as the landscape itself.
At its core, El Cabron is a concept album revolving around its titular character—a devil-may-care figure who straddles the line between self-destruction and redemption. The record’s lead track and namesake introduces El Cabron as a man of mischief, running up bar tabs and chasing cheap thrills across the border. The tone is set: part self-deprecating humor, part wild adventure. Johnson’s sharp wit shines through on songs like “Last Call (With Apologies to Terry Allen),” where mariachi guitars and a tale of late-night liaisons blend perfectly with his hapless yet endearing narrator.
Johnson’s songwriting thrives in the tension between absurdity and insight, a trait he shares with legends like John Prine and Hunter S. Thompson. He taps into a deep well of personal experience and fiction, offering listeners glimpses into the life of a flawed yet oddly relatable character. Tracks like “Believer” show a softer side, with a soulful love song to his wife, while others like “Pipeliner Blues” embrace his rowdy roots with a fast-paced cover that packs a punch.
Musically, El Cabron is a testament to Johnson’s ability to blend genres effortlessly. There’s a constant push and pull between Texas swing, Tejano, and swamp-pop grooves, all underpinned by a strong country foundation. The album’s eclectic mix is elevated by a cast of talented Austin musicians, who bring the varied sounds of the Hill Country to life. This isn’t just a record about Texas—it’s a celebration of the shared American experience of mess-ups and redemption, the struggle to find something better even when the road is long and unpredictable.
El Cabron is a record for anyone who’s ever found themselves caught between who they are and who they want to be. Johnson’s mix of fiction and autobiography creates an album that’s as real as it is entertaining. With its sharp, playful songwriting and bold musical choices, El Cabron stands as a testament to Pug Johnson’s place as one of Texas’ most exciting contemporary voices. Whether he’s dodging the consequences of a bad decision or serenading his wife, Johnson proves he’s a master of blending humor with heart, all while delivering one hell of a musical ride. – Jason Felton