FAWM: "Poke the Machine"

Poke the Machine

Liner Notes

Really not feeling it this year, my terrible job has broken my spirit. But here's another song about how much I hate it, combined with an on-the-nose reference to a recent film. And all slathered in lo-fi FX to make it sound more interesting.

Ukulele solo through a big muff because why not?

#lofi #synthfolk #noai

Lyrics

good news in the briefing today: we're being encouraged to wither away set up your desk, position your chair sink into existential despair

make me redundant make the break clean don't ask me to sit here and poke the machine

raise your glasses and join me in song things will be faster, things will be wrong praise your masters, lift up your voice this is progress - no other choice

Comments

@tobermory 22h

Okay you win, the banjo is a darling instrument and I have to reassess my prejudices. I did think it was just the extra jangle in every folk-rock outfit (and I was in one), and a chase scene backing track in Dukes of Hazzard. Why is there never a songwriting prompt about how people hate their jobs? We all need that release valve. I'm really taken by the backing vocals and atmospheric stuff in this one, foreboding as all hell, sets off the simple drum beat to a T. Still, sucks to have such a bad time at work. Don't worry though, the AI bubble is bursting so I bet management will reconsider their foolhardiness once Altman asks to see inside their wallets

@freshspotlessyouth 1d

The opening couplet actually made me laugh out loud. It's so dark. I think this could be an anti-anthem for millions of people. There's no raging against the machine, just mandatory poking. This is darkly catchy. I love the atmospherics. Is there a button I can press to get lo-fi FX? It sounds awesome

@ayeahmur 2d

Really feeling these lyrics. 2026 in a nutshell. Loving the sorta mechanised robotic rhythm you've gone with. Really like how the melody doesnt really resolve, just loops endlessly back into the next bit. IDK, maybe I'm reading too much into it? The uke is a brilliant little spot of brightness throughout for me.

@squirrelhavenstudios 2d

That uke solo sounds fantastic, both tonally and melodically. Sorry your job sucks, but you've used it as inspiration for a great story about the fatalism of being a cog in the machine. Nice work.

@datsch 2d

I am picturing one of those flying V ukuleles and you sliding on your knees across a boardroom table, sending water bottles and laptops flying as you eventually reach the end of your curly coil guitar cable and are then retracted slowly back again, to snorts of consternation …

@bradbrubaker 2d

Big muff uke kinda sounds like Cool Hand Luke, but I digress.

I am feeling this in a big way. In the age of AI, my particular job is "withering away." An enjoyable listen, too

@frey 2d

ihatemyjobcore. I can relate! At least you're getting some material out of the situation

@frankb 2d

OK, I'm bummed. Ya gotta do somethin', man. You deserve better. Great song, btw.

@headfirstonlyMod 2d

Oh mate, I feel your pain. Suffering through even a single day in a job that you hate is pure hell. The bass on this really builds that oppressive atmosphere. But that soaring guitar solo hints that there is joy lurking out there, somewhere (I can confirm that retirement has a lot going for it).