photo by Michael Vadino
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s selection, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Lazy Afternoon of the Jaguar” by Turing Machine from the 2012 album What Is the Meaning of What on Temporary Residence Limited.
After the death of the prolific drummer Jerry Fuchs in 2009, NYC math-rock/dance hybrid Turing Machine went on a temporary hiatus during the middle of recording their third album. Three years later, after some help from LCD Soundsystem’s Pat Mahoney and other members of the DFA roster, Turing Machine’s latest (and possibly final) album What Is the Meaning of What showcases Fuchs’ last work on what might be the group’s most mature record. “Lazy Afternoon of the Jaguar” is a heavily layered song that, like many of Turing Machine’s highly repetitive dance tracks, is deceptively intricate and undeniably danceable. The track opens with two choppy guitar riffs echoing almost imperceptibly on top of one another before a deep bass and clean drums enter the mix, pairing a relentless beat with a swirling guitar work to create an incredibly hypnotic atmosphere.
Turing Machine actually did perform recently, celebrating What Is the Meaning of What‘s release at Brooklyn’s Union Pool with a new 5-piece lineup. Perhaps as another of Fuchs’ many projects, Maserati, continued to tour, maybe so will Turing Machine. You can see if there will be more shows by following the band on Facebook. For now, here’s a clip of Jerry wailing away during a 2008 practice jam:
