On March 19, 2003, the USA—with the UK very much in tow—invaded Iraq. It’s that day and singular event which is the setting of this new song by Elway. Over the course of just over three minutes, the Fort Collins, Colorado punks combine the very personal with the very political, navigating the memory of that day and declaration with the knowledge of what’s followed in the 20-plus years since. Set to a video montage of presidents and political figures both pre- and post-Bush, both Democrat and Republican, as well as news footage of significant worldwide events, “Laugh Track”—the first single to be taken from Elway’s forthcoming seventh album—explores the long-lasting ramifications of that day’s events, as well as American imperialism in general.
As political as it is, it’s also a beautiful song—melodic, sincere, and poignant in equal measure—that finds itself at odds with the world in which it exists. Of course, as the song and its video both highlight, that world is the natural consequence and legacy of a country that’s been engaged in war for 231 of its 248 years of existence. “The psychic toll of war is congenital,” explains frontman Tim Browne. “It is passed like a mutation through the generations in America. This song is about how I came to learn how endemic war is in our culture and it proposes, if not insists, for this utter madness to end with us.”
It’s no coincidence that this digitally released single—backed with an acoustic version of fan favorite “Better Whenever,” because Red Scare label owner Tobias Jeg doesn’t like the idea of releasing lone tracks—is premiering here on May Day, given the label’s (tongue-in-cheek) name and political leanings. “‘Laugh Track’ is the first single from Elway's upcoming Nobody's Going to Heaven LP,” says Jeg, “and even though these soy boys are really frustrated with the current timeline, the new songs are secretly triumphant and affirmative.”
A perfect reminder of that most important and (sadly still relevant) political adage: No war but class war. Happy May Day! Watch the video exclusively below before the song is officially released on May 2 (pre-save here). The band will also be on tour later this month and will also be performing at this year’s The Fest. Find all their upcoming tour dates here.
