A memorable single from emerging Massachusetts-based artist Ava Valianti, “Laugh Track” melds a confessional folk prowess with hooky, heartfelt escalations — infused within a twangy Americana spirit. Ruminations on self-doubt and identity pair with a poignant biting feeling — that being the drive to always being “on.” “”I’ve always had this weird sense that my life is being observed, like I’m in some kind of TV show where my mistakes are the punchline,” Valianti says. “This song is me stepping back and asking, ‘Am I in control of my own story, or am I just playing a part?’”
“I hurt more than I like to admit,” Valianti’s vocals get right to the point, commenting thereafter on how people-pleasing and narcissism seem to be fixtures in the dance of life. “Other shitty behavior makes me feel like less of a failure,” she continues, attaining a higher-pitched ethereality as lush acoustics lingering alongside. Subsequent comparisons of her life to “a punchline,” and “waiting for the viewers to skewer me,” furthers those aforementioned themes of being analyzed like a character in a TV show — complete with the Truman Show and How I Met Your Mother references.
The final minute excels as well, incorporating elements like adding backing vocal reflections, rollicking guitar lines, and mellow keys within the enjoyable, now-familiar melodic drive. A dash of jazzy keys concludes the production with satiating impact. “Laugh Track” is an effective, societally introspective success from Ava Valianti, who is clearly on the rise.
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The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Folk.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
