Our adoration of Laughing Cats seems to grow with every listen. We recently featured their debut single, GYB, and follow up release, Jerk, which served as a sonic reflection on self-accountability, so when we heard that the captivating felines were back with Love On Fire, we couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience!

Establishing the mood with a super cerebral “ahhhhhh”, reminding us of early Peaches and ballroom culture, Love On Fire opens with a dance-floor friendly, metaphorical mood with assertive ferocity, and naturally, we are in awe.

Fans of Lady Gaga will be able to connect with the electro-clash energy that manifests with Love On Fire! Shooting synths, a trippy middle eight break down with a performative, Madonna-esque spoken word segment and high hats explodes back into a dimensional final chorus, leaving us yearning for more!

As a reminder, the indie pop duo is made up of Lauren Schiff and former Third Eye Blind member Tony Fredianelli. The accompanying self-directed music video is a visual delight, tapping into the warm and fierce energy of the song, showing band member Lauren in her element as manifests her visual universe and shows us what a hypnotizing performer she is.

Love On Fire is from the band’s debut album Funny Money, and the band do indeed cite Lady Gaga as a sonic influence for the track, along with the disco energy of Donna Summer, and the wild flair of LMFAO!

We love what Laughing Cats bring to life with their genre expansive approach to song creation. Naturally, we have added Love On Fire to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TRIPPY playlist, whilst we continue to stream the band’s exquisite growing discography and anticipate future releases from the stars.

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Jerk by Laughing Cats is an exceptional blend of nostalgia, atmosphere, and vulnerability, embodying a bold sonic vision crafted by Lauren Schiff and Tony Fredianelli. The duo, Fredianelli’s rock pedigree shaped in Third Eye Blind and Schiff’s background in theatre, combines deeply immersive storytelling with a cinematic soundscape that recalls the timeless allure of ’80s and ’90s music while carrying a modern, relatable message.

The track, a highlight of their upcoming debut album Funny Money, is part of a waterfall release schedule, a release style that brings new life to the album experience by offering a fresh single every few weeks. This approach feels especially fitting for Laughing Cats, allowing us to savour each song as an individual story, building connection with their unique sound and message over time.

Jerk kicks off with an ’80s-inspired musical palette that echoes bands like New Order and Tears for Fears, eventually incorporating glitched effects and warm, reverberating synths with Fredianelli’s skilful guitar work. The production balances rich atmosphere with precision, supporting Schiff’s haunting, emotive vocals. Her voice cuts through the track like a bittersweet confession, and you can feel the depth of the narrative she weaves. She sings of human fallibility and the courage it takes to admit one’s mistakes, a powerful theme that feels intimate yet universal. This honesty brings a strong emotional quotient, inviting listeners to recognize their own struggles with self-reflection and accountability.

The track’s subject matter is timeless: it explores the need for self-improvement and humility within relationships, inspired by Schiff’s observation of a man struggling to make amends with his wife. It’s a concept that resonates across time and context, as we’ve all been in situations where we need to look inward and confront our own faults. Through Jerk, Laughing Cats encourage us to embrace vulnerability and the strength found in owning up to one’s shortcomings. It’s rare to hear a song that so openly turns blame inwards, challenging societal norms where fault is often projected outward. This self-reckoning not only fosters healthier relationships but also deeper self-awareness – a crucial aspect of personal growth.

Jerk combines vintage aesthetics with a message that’s both contemplative and refreshingly candid, making it ideal for cinematic placement. The song’s ambiance transports listeners to a space of reflection, and its contemplative tone would fit seamlessly into films or shows exploring themes of love, redemption, or personal transformation. Fredianelli’s guitar riffs provide the song with a grounded, soulful feel, while the glitches and subtle electronic flourishes lend a modern edge, adding layers of complexity and texture.

With Laughing Cats’ clear influences from music’s golden ages of the ‘60s, ‘80s, and early ‘90s, the duo pays homage to a lineage of innovative musicians while bringing their own fresh twist. Tony Fredianelli’s guitar work evokes both nostalgia and innovation, connecting past and present in a way that feels authentic and accessible. Schiff’s voice and lyrics, inspired by her background in acting and storytelling, possess a rawness that invites introspection and empathy.

Overall, Jerk is an anthem of self-betterment and the empowering realization that growth often begins with admitting where we’ve gone wrong. Laughing Cats invite us to embark on this emotional journey, one track at a time, with the promise of more stories and self-discoveries to come. With Funny Money, Schiff and Fredianelli have positioned themselves as artists with a deep sense of purpose and artistry, ones to watch for both their talent and thought-provoking, human-centred narratives. We have added Jerk to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream their debut single, GYB!

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