There are songs that entertain, and then there are songs that speak to something deeper—songs that crack a joke while quietly breaking your heart. Ava Valianti’s new single, “Laugh Track,” is firmly the latter: a beautifully crafted exploration of insecurity, self-perception, and the performance of identity, delivered with raw emotion and a dash of dark humor.
Released on April 4, 2025, Laugh Track continues Ava’s upward trajectory as one of indie pop’s most introspective and emotionally honest voices. Known for her storytelling style reminiscent of Olivia Rodrigo and the dreamy melancholy of Lana Del Rey, Ava has created a sound that is unmistakably her own—personal, poetic, and painfully relatable.
On this track, Ava steps into the surreal emotional territory of feeling like the star of a sitcom, only to question whether she’s the joke or the main character. “Am I in control of my own story, or am I just playing a part?” she asks, pulling listeners into the existential spiral of constant self-awareness. Through references to The Truman Show and How I Met Your Mother’s Ted Mosby, she taps into that generational anxiety of living under an invisible spotlight—where even private moments feel like part of some ongoing script.
The instrumentation supports that theme beautifully. “Laugh Track” balances moody textures and intimate vocals with a slow-burning indie pop arrangement that builds subtly but effectively. There’s a cinematic sadness to the sound—echoes of isolation in the reverb-soaked production and small melodic shifts that mimic the tension between inner peace and performative calm. Ava doesn’t belt her pain; she breathes it out with precision.
Lyrically, Laugh Track is some of Ava’s strongest work to date. The metaphors are smart and self-aware, but never overly clever or forced. Lines questioning whether people are laughing with her or at her cut deep because they’re rooted in a truth that so many people—especially young women navigating identity in a hyper-curated, online-driven world—have felt but struggled to articulate. It’s a song about the masks we wear to belong and the quiet fear that the version of ourselves people love isn’t really us at all.
“Laugh Track” also shows off Ava’s growth as a songwriter since her 2023 debut bubble wrap. Songs like Middle Ground, January, and Wishing Well hinted at her ability to fuse catchy melodies with emotional nuance, but this single raises the bar. It’s more than a song—it’s a confession, a mirror, and a comfort to anyone who’s ever felt out of place in their own skin.
As a celebration of the release, Ava performed live at Charlie’s Kitchen in Harvard Square on April 5th—an intimate venue fitting for such a personal song. Those lucky enough to catch her set not only got to hear “Laugh Track” in its rawest form but also experienced her connection with a growing fanbase that sees themselves reflected in her words.
With over 130 radio station features, two New England Music Award nominations, and a recent nod as runner-up in the 21st International Acoustic Music Awards, Ava Valianti is clearly making waves. But with “Laugh Track,” she proves that her success isn’t just about accolades—it’s about authenticity.
In a world that often rewards surface-level polish, Ava offers something deeper: the unfiltered emotional truth of someone trying to be real in a life that sometimes feels scripted. “Laugh Track” is a beautiful reminder that even if we feel like the punchline, there’s power in telling our own story—and maybe, just maybe, we’re the protagonist after all.
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