Yard Act drop cynical-pop groover ‘When the Laughter Stops’
The track features Katy J. Pearson and David Thewlis.
Photo: Phoebe Fox
Yard Act are going from strength to strength following catchy singles We Make Hits and Petroleum, ahead of their upcoming LP Where’s My Utopia?. When the Laughter Stops doubles down on that kind of success, proving glammy and groovy when it needs to be, echoing the funkier efforts of groups like Måneskin – with an equally explosive and infectious chorus to match. Yard Act have struck gold with this effortlessly cool anthem, making for what will no doubt become a live classic.
But buried beneath the funky hook and guest vocalist Katy J. Pearson’s blinding vocals, there’s some soul-punchingly real lyrics: “For when we got back to our proper jobs / And realise the laughter’s stopped / I need to know my chance was fully blown”. It’s a massive tune on the irony of what adults tell you at childhood; everyone says you can be whatever you want to be, but in reality you grow up to be just another everyman. Yard Act’s words are poetic, punchy and remorselessly accurate; it’s a reality check condensed into three minutes of pure groove.
And, just when you think the ‘80s-inflected electro-pop tune is over, beloved British thespian David Thewlis chimes in with one of Shakespeare’s most powerful verses put to script, echoing the grand, tragic figure of Macbeth. It’s a bit of an oddity, but there’s no denying it’ll stay in your brain til long after the last note.
Where’s My Utopia? is out March 1st via Island Records.