NYC band M.A.K.U. SoundSystem put out a new music video a few days ago and it’s given us a lot to think about.
“El Jugo” is about the hard grind of the immigrants working life in America, and you can hear it in the music. The beat is as persistent and unrelenting as a Ford Motors assembly line, and between the frantic guitar work and hissy organ, the whirlwind of industrial America is amply represented. But it’s about two-thirds of the way through the track when the beat turns and things really explode. In a lot of ways, this is a fairly restrained track by M.A.K.U. standards, but it’s that wild and crazy bridge that brings it firmly back within the frenetic terrain that they’re known for.
The song gets its title from its most subtle, poignant line; “put water in your juice so it can yield more servings”. Hats off to vocalist Liliana Conde for that one. It’s an impressively refined and understated image that communicates so much and places the band well about their contemporaries.
But a discussion about this video would not be complete without a little New York City nitpicking. We love the sentiments of the song, and the video is great, but damn were those some spacious, well lit, and beautifully decorated spaces for a song about NYC living!
M.A.K.U. SoundSystem is currently wrapping up a quick jaunt out to the West Coast. Head to their website for tour dates and all things M.A.K.U..
