Sarcastic, Moi?

Proud American — the second advance release from An Ape’s Progress — is coming this Fourth of July as a music video on my YouTube channel, and as a single via download / streaming services everywhere.

Proud American is a sarcastic, satirical commentary on our country’s unique brand of arrogance and exceptionalism — as demonstrated by the absurd political and social upheaval that threatens to tear our nation apart. Proud American is the album’s opening track, and in many ways the thematic center of An Ape’s Progress.

We chose Opposable Thumb as the first single + video, for its jaunty musical vibe and lyrical wordplay — but we knew it was important to follow that up with something a bit deeper and darker to properly introduce the album. The original plan for Proud American was to release both the single and music video on July 9, so distribution for the single was set up and finalized back in May. But as the Proud American music video started taking shape, we got excited and decided to pull its release forward by a few days, and try to make a splash on Independence Day!

While the title Proud American might suggest a traditional patriotic theme, the message is anything but! Though some might find the song’s sarcastic self-criticism offensive, the truth is that honest reflection and uncompromising justice lie at the very core of patriotism — and democracy! As with Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA back in the eighties, Proud American might end up being misunderstood as a jingoistic statement. And among those who do catch the song’s intended meaning, a few might even be inspired to send me my first hate mail — another musical milestone!

But hey, if Proud American gets folks thinking and talking, I’ll be happy.

And besides — it’s a fun little rocker!

I hope you love it.

-Pawlie.