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Laugh Track
A photo of a boy holding a mannequin head which has a name tag on it reading "pauL"
Studio album by
the National
ReleasedSeptember 18, 2023 (2023-09-18)
Recorded2023[1][2]
Studio
  • Flora Recording & Playback, Portland, Oregon, United States[2]
  • Soundcheck in Vancouver, Canada[1]
GenreIndie rock[3]
Length59:19
Label4AD
Producer
The National chronology
First Two Pages of Frankenstein
(2023) 		Laugh Track
(2023) 		Rome
(2024)
Singles from Laugh Track
  1. "Weird Goodbyes"
    Released: August 22, 2022
  2. "Alphabet City" / "Space Invader"
    Released: August 17, 2023

Laugh Track is the tenth studio album from American indie rock band the National. The surprise album was released on September 18, 2023, having been announced only days prior.[4] The album's material was mostly written and recorded alongside the band's earlier 2023 album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein,[5] with several songs being re-recorded at producer Tucker Martine's studio after honing their arrangements while on tour in 2023.[2] Preceded by the singles, "Weird Goodbyes", "Alphabet City" and "Space Invader", the album features guest vocal appearances from Justin Vernon, Phoebe Bridgers and Rosanne Cash.[6] Laugh Track has received positive reviews from critics.

Recording and release

[edit]

After taking a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, the band reunited and began working on a ninth studio album. Initially going through a difficult period of writer's block and depression,[7] lyricist Matt Berninger and the band eventually produced enough material to fill two albums.[8] Their first release from the sessions was the single, "Weird Goodbyes", which was released on August 22, 2022, and featured guest vocals from Bon Iver.[9]

They released their ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, on April 28, 2023. The album did not contain "Weird Goodbyes", with bandmate Aaron Dessner hinting at a different "future home" for the song.[10] The song was originally planned to be a stand-alone single, with Dessner noting "It was its own thing. But it also felt related to what we were doing. That was part of the logic for making another record—let's give "Weird Goodbyes" its own home."[11]

Letting go of notions of how to make songs and allowing for some loose, unstructured approaches to come into it. Also, some songs literally came from just improvising on stage during soundcheck. Maybe it's having come through a really hard time and nearly not surviving as a band. We came back together and we felt healthy.

—Aaron Dessner on why this album feels happier and looser than previous work by The National.[12]

During the National's tour in support of First Two Pages of Frankenstein, the band debuted new material and continued to workshop the remaining unreleased songs from the recording sessions, with the newly-recorded material favoring live drums over pre-programmed percussion.[13] A press release accompanying the release of Laugh Track wrote: "Revelling in the license to radically upend its creative process, The National honed most of this material in live performances on tour this year, and captured those invigorated versions in impromptu sessions at producer Tucker Martine's Portland studio, Flora Recording & Playback."[14] The album's closing track "Smoke Detector" was recorded in June 2023, during a soundcheck in Vancouver,[1] when the band felt inspired to continue jamming in a rare move for them.[13] The band consciously wanted to highlight Bryan Devendorf's drumming on the album, after having a more "compartmentalized role" on First Two Pages of Frankenstein: "This time we had the desire to make something that was more alive so that Bryan's playing would drive more."[11]

Prior to the album's release, the singles "Alphabet City" and "Space Invader" were released on streaming services in August 2023 with artwork matching the single artwork for "Weird Goodbyes".[15] In September, at the band's Homecoming 2023 festival in Cincinnati, the band publicly announced a second album called Laugh Track would be coming out digitally the same weekend. At the performance where the album was announced, 1,000 early vinyl LP copies of the album were sold, signed by each band member, with Berninger saying the full vinyl release would be sometime in November.[15][16][17]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.6/10[18]
Metacritic78/100[19]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarHalf star[20]
Clash9/10[21]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[22]
The IndependentStarStarStarStar[23]
NMEStarStarStarStar[24]
Pitchfork6.8/10[25]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStar[26]
PasteStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[27]
Evening StandardStarStarStarStar[28]
Exclaim!StarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[29]

Editors at AnyDecentMusic? characterized Laugh Track as a 7.6 out of 10, based on sixteen reviews.[30] According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Laugh Track received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 78 out of 100 from 14 critic scores.[31]

Editors at AllMusic rated this album 3.5 out of 5 stars, with critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine writing that the music is at "a precisely modulated temperature, bringing the songs to warmth slowly and steadily".[32] Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic called this work "hopeful music about everything getting worse", with "bleak" lyrics paired with "music [that] still has the light-seeking quality of Frankenstein".[33] Editors at BrooklynVegan shortlisted this as a notable release of the week and critic Andrew Sacher wrote that this music has "the same passion and attention to detail that they've had for two decades straight".[34] At Clash Music, Sahar Ghadirian gave this release a 9 out of 10, writing that it speaks "to the duality of human emotion" with a playful title accompanied by emotional lyrics and highlights several tracks for their atmospherics.[3] Mary Siroky of Consequence called this album "a fine but forgettable companion" to their previous release, continuing that the music is "at its best when things get full and rich" and it "serves as a gentle reminder that there's a difference between tenderness and boredom; long, meditative music is fine and good, but often more interesting when there's a destination in mind".[35] In Exclaim!, Alex Hudson rated Laugh Track an 8 out of 10, calling it stronger than its predecessor: "where the earlier album sounded meek, the follow-up finds the National easily sinking into what they do best".[36] In Evening Standard, David Smyth wrote that this "has a greater number of diversions from the set sound" for the band and "it sounds like they're starting to come back to life"; he scored it 4 out of 5 stars.[37]

Shaad D'Souza of The Guardian rated this work 4 out of 5 stars, stating that it "feels like a fresh start" for the band and that it adopts "a more grownup take on the existential conundrums of earlier National records".[38] In Hot Press, Edwin McFee gave this work a 7 out of 10, concluding that "There is an unmistakable flavour of "B-Side Material" off some tracks, especially on the aimless 'Dreaming', and you have to wonder what might have been if they combined the very best cuts from both LPs".[39] The Independent's Helen Brown also gave Laugh Track 4 out of 5 stars, calling this a "loose, upbeat album" that has a "lower-slung" guitar sound.[40] In The Irish Examiner, Ed Power gave this album 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "a refinement of the themes and textures of its predecessor".[41] Irish Independent editors declared this album of the week and critic praising the lyric's exploration of romantic relationships and "artfully constructed" arrangements featuring live drumming.[42] Tony Clayton-Lea of The Irish Times stating that this music "uses a similar sonic template" to their last, but also mixes different styles to show that the band "are as good at stillness as they are at movement"; he scored Laugh Track a 4 out of 5.[43] At musicOMH, John Murphy gave this album 4 out of 5 stars, writing that "it's musically not such a close cousin of First Two Pages, but more its identical twin – the same brooding atmosphere, that bottled up tension that seems to have become Matt Berninger's vocal trademark – yet over a few plays, it seems to slowly take a life of its own".[44]

In The New Zealand Herald, Graham Reid called Laugh Track "the wallowing of a troubled soul" with "alluring songs" that serve as "are beautifully played, atmospheric" therapy.[45] Thomas Smith of NME rated Laugh Track 4 out of 5 stars, characterizing it as "a surprise companion record that's louder, more immediate and rawer than its predecessor" and in comparison to First Two Pages of Frankenstein, this album has "the looser structures and [the] decision to allow the songs room to grow, melodically and lyrically pays off".[46] Editors at Paste chose this as Album of the Week, with critic Matt Mitchell scoring it a 9.0 out of 10, calling it one of the band's best "and maybe their single greatest feat since Sleep Well Beast";[47] the editors also included it among the best albums of September 2023.[48] Writing for Pitchfork, Evan Rytlewski scored this release a 6.8 out of 10, writing that it "extends its predecessor's subdued mood and reclusive purview" and that both "albums over-relied on programmed drums", but this release has more of a "blissful, easy groove" than First Two Pages of Frankenstein.[49]

Rolling Stone UK published a 4-out-of-5 star review from Will Richards that calls this release "an impulsive, fearless sister record" that is "the freest they've ever sounded" and the songs "flow with unfiltered energy and spontaneity".[50] At Sputnikmusic, JohnnyoftheWell rated this album a 2.7 out of 5, stating that the band "have seemed less and less like a band firing on all cylinders, and increasingly franchise-esque" in recent years and continuing that with this work, "there is little here that substantively rectifies the underlying issues with the National's ongoing phase".[51] Ryan Leas of Stereogum wrote that the band feel "looser—more alive—than they did on its predecessor" and continues to "travel that "ultimate National" path" from their prior release, with this one being "overall more dynamic and vibrant".[52] At Uproxx, critic Steven Hyden created the mixtape Frankenstein Laughs made of tracks from The National's two 2023 albums[53] and included this compilation among his favorite music of September.[54]

At musicOMH, this album was rated 39th best of 2023.[55] Editors at NME ranked this the 32nd best album of 2023.[56] John Meagher of Irish Independent chose "Smoke Detector" as the third best foreign song of 2023, describing it as "a gnarlier, brighter companion record that was rapidly completed once their mojo had been reignited".[57] Paste included this among the 30 best rock albums of 2023.[58] At Under the Radar, this was rated the 61st best album of 2023.[59]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics by Matt Berninger, except where indicated.

  1. "Alphabet City" (music: Bryce Dessner) – 3:44
  2. "Deep End (Paul's in Pieces)" (music: Aaron Dessner) – 4:29
  3. "Weird Goodbyes" (music: A. Dessner) – 5:03
  4. "Turn Off the House" (music: B. Dessner) – 4:35
  5. "Dreaming" (music: A. Dessner) – 3:46
  6. "Laugh Track" (music: A. Dessner) – 4:24
  7. "Space Invader" (music: A. Dessner and B. Dessner) – 6:58
  8. "Hornets" (music: A. Dessner) – 4:35
  9. "Coat on a Hook" (music: A. Dessner) – 4:58
  10. "Tour Manager" (lyrics: Carin Besser and Berninger, music: B. Dessner) – 4:26
  11. "Crumble" (music: A. Dessner) – 4:35
  12. "Smoke Detector" (music: A. Dessner and B. Dessner) – 7:47

Personnel

[edit]

The National

Additional musicians

Additional personnel

  • Tony Berg – production on "Laugh Track"
  • John Leventhal – production on "Crumble"
  • Tucker Martine – production on "Deep End (Paul's in Pieces)", "Turn Off the House", "Dreaming", "Space Invader", "Hornets", "Coat on a Hook" and "Crumble"
  • Pentagram – design
  • John Solimine – cover photography

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Laugh Track
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[60] 51
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[61] 21
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[62] 12
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[63] 38
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[64] 25
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[65] 14
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[66] 13
Irish Albums (OCC)[67] 40
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[68] 33
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[69] 5
Scottish Albums (OCC)[70] 5
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[71] 66
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[72] 21
UK Albums (OCC)[73] 24
UK Americana Albums (OCC)[74] 3
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[75] 2

As a product of "Crumble" appearing on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, Rosanne Cash appeared on a Billboard chart for the first time in 30 years.[76]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Laugh Track

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
A laugh track, also known as canned laughter or a track, is a pre-recorded audio track of laughter and reactions that is added to programs to simulate the responses of a live . This technique originated in radio broadcasts as early as 1947, when shows like The Show used taped to enhance weak responses and replicate a communal viewing experience. The practice transitioned to television in the early , becoming a staple of sitcoms to guide at-home viewers in recognizing humor, smooth over editing gaps, and leverage effects that make jokes seem funnier when accompanied by . The laugh track was pioneered by sound engineer , who developed the "laff box"—a custom machine containing spools of recorded laughs categorized by type, intensity, and demographics—in 1950 for the sitcom The Hank McCune Show, marking its debut on television. Douglass's innovation addressed the challenges of filming multi-camera comedies without consistent live audiences, providing producers with precise control over comedic timing and emotional cues. By the and , laugh tracks were ubiquitous in shows like and , where research demonstrated they improved viewer engagement and perceived humor by creating a sense of shared . Psychological studies have affirmed the laugh track's influence, showing it conditions audiences to rate jokes as more enjoyable and reinforces humor through , though overuse can sometimes undermine subtlety in . Despite its prevalence through the 1980s in multi-camera formats, the technique faced criticism—actor called it an "affront to public intelligence" in 1955—and began declining in the 1990s with the rise of single-camera shows without laugh tracks, such as , while multi-camera shows like relied on live studio audiences. Later productions such as (2005) abandoned audience laughter entirely for a more naturalistic style. As of 2025, laugh tracks or sweetened audience reactions persist in some multi-camera revivals like the reboot (2023–present) but are largely eschewed in modern single-camera and streaming comedies, reflecting evolving production norms and audience preferences.

Background

Development

Following the release of their 2019 album I Am Easy to Find, The National encountered significant challenges in band dynamics and personal well-being, exacerbated by the , which created physical distance among members and fostered an atmosphere of uncertainty about the band's future. Frontman grappled with severe depression and , describing a period of paralysis that halted creative output for nearly two years and led him to question the band's survival. These struggles included Berninger's vocal and emotional difficulties, as the pandemic intensified his introspective tendencies and made traditional songwriting feel inaccessible. Meanwhile, and producer underwent shifts in his production approach, moving toward a looser, more collaborative style influenced by external projects, such as his work with , to reduce overthinking and encourage spontaneity within the band. To reinvigorate their songwriting, the band decided in late 2022 to collaborate with co-producers and , whose involvement brought fresh perspectives and helped foster an intimate, live-band energy during the creative process. This partnership aimed to address the stagnation from prior years by emphasizing organic development over polished demos. Sessions for began after the band's 2022 tour, with initial ideas for a companion project to emerging by early 2023, drawing from the same fertile creative period as a shared well of material. Early songwriting took place in , New York, at Long Pond studio, where the focus shifted to collaborative jams rather than structured compositions, allowing the band to improvise during post-tour gatherings in locations like . These sessions revived the group's momentum through freeform playing after live sets, producing raw, invigorated tracks that captured a sense of rekindled unity. Dessner noted that this method yielded over 30 songs, with the excess material shaping Laugh Track as a distinct yet connected extension of their ongoing evolution.

Relation to prior work

Laugh Track serves as a companion album to The National's ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, which was released on April 28, 2023. The two records emerged from overlapping creative processes, with much of Laugh Track's material originating in the same early 2023 writing and tracking sessions as its predecessor, though the band ultimately decided to split the abundance of songs—over 30 in total—into two distinct releases rather than a single expansive project. This decision, proposed by guitarist Aaron Dessner during the band's 2022 tour, transformed what could have been bonus material or B-sides into a standalone 12-track album honed through live performances. Thematically, both albums delve into themes of aging, relationships, and existential doubt, reflecting frontman Matt Berninger's personal struggles with depression and its impact on his life. However, shifts toward a more optimistic and loose tone, contrasting the melancholy introspection of with vibrant, exploratory energy that evokes a sense of renewed creative . Released unexpectedly on September 18, 2023, just five months after its counterpart, was positioned as a "surprise companion," allowing the band to extend their narrative arc without diluting either work's focus. Guest contributors like , who appears on tracks from both albums, underscore the interconnectedness of the releases.

Recording and production

Studios and process

The recording of primarily took place at Flora Recording & Playback in , and during a soundcheck at a venue in , , in June 2023. These locations allowed the band to capture material developed during their ongoing tour, with nine of the album's twelve tracks originating from impromptu sessions at the Portland studio under producer . The production approach centered on live band takes to preserve spontaneity and the raw energy honed from recent performances, with minimal overdubs to maintain an organic feel; analog tape was utilized at Flora for its characteristic warmth, leveraging the studio's Studer A820 24-track 2-inch machine. Tucker Martine oversaw mixing, while Tony Berg co-produced the album alongside contributions from John Leventhal, who handled production on select tracks such as "Crumble" and added guitar parts that infused rootsy textures. Core tracking wrapped within two months amid the tour schedule, followed by targeted overdubs in summer 2023; live drums were a priority throughout to embody the band's tour-refined dynamics and vitality.

Guest musicians

The album incorporates contributions from several prominent guest musicians, invited during recording sessions to foster spontaneity and enrich the arrangements. , building on her prior collaborations with The National on , lent her vocals to "Laugh Track," "This Isn't Working," and "Letter from an Old Poet," infusing these tracks with ethereal, introspective layers that complemented the band's brooding style. Justin Vernon of appeared as a featured vocalist on "Weird Goodbyes." Rosanne Cash contributed seasoned, country-inflected vocals to "Crumble" and "I'll Still Destroy You," bringing a mature, narrative warmth that grounded the album's themes of loss and reflection. Additional support came from session players who handled strings and percussion, adding lush orchestral swells and dynamic percussion elements that elevated the overall production.

Release and promotion

Announcement and formats

The National surprised fans by announcing their tenth studio album, , on September 15, 2023, during their opening night performance at the Homecoming festival in , , which spanned September 15–17. The reveal was shared via the band's channels immediately following the onstage announcement. Digital versions of the became available for streaming and download on September 18, 2023, through , with physical copies following on November 17, 2023. This release came just five months after the band's prior , First Two Pages of Frankenstein, marking an unusually rapid succession for the group. The standard edition comprises 12 tracks, recorded during live tour sessions and at Recording & Playback in Portland with producer . Physical formats include CD and double LP vinyl in standard black, along with limited-edition variants such as translucent pink and a Cherry Tree members-exclusive yellow pressing. A special numbered, white-label double LP edition, signed by the band members, was available exclusively to attendees at the festival. The announcement tied directly to the festival, where previewed several tracks from during their sets.

Singles

The from the sessions that produced , "Weird Goodbyes" featuring , was released on August 22, 2022. The track, which explores themes of grief and letting go, marked the band's first new music in three years and was accompanied by a lyric video. It peaked at number 6 on the chart. On August 17, 2023, issued "Alphabet City" backed with "Space Invader" as a digital double A-side single. "Alphabet City" later appeared on as its opening track, while "Space Invader" was issued as a non-album B-side; the single received a visualizer for the latter song directed by Sacré and Pauline de Chalendar. Laugh Track itself was released as a on September 18, 2023, with no traditional promotional singles drawn from its tracklist in advance. The title track, featuring guest vocals from , was promoted post-release via an official animated video directed by on November 15, 2023.

Marketing efforts

The National debuted the full album live at their Homecoming festival in , , on September 16 and 17, 2023, marking the event's inaugural edition with guest appearances by collaborators including , , and . The surprise announcement during their opening set generated immediate buzz, positioning the festival as a key promotional launchpad for the record. To support the album's rollout, the band released music videos for select tracks. The title track "Laugh Track" (featuring ) premiered an animated video in November 2023, directed by in a style depicting fragmented emotional states amid suburban decay. Earlier, the 2022 single "Weird Goodbyes" (featuring ) was accompanied by a conceptual lyric video emphasizing themes of reluctant separation through minimalist visuals and overlaid text. Tracks from were integrated into the band's ongoing 2023-2024 touring schedule, which included North American and European legs supporting both 2023 albums, with live debuts like the title track at Leeds First Direct Arena in September 2023. Special engagements, such as an intimate trio performance by and the Dessner brothers at The New Yorker Festival's show in October 2024, highlighted select material from the album. Limited merchandise efforts amplified fan engagement, including a festival-exclusive white-label vinyl pressing distributed at and a Cherry Tree fan club-only yellow vinyl edition; posts from the band's accounts provided cryptic teasers to sustain momentum, eschewing conventional radio pushes. In 2024, songs remained staples in the band's touring schedule, including festival appearances such as and All Together Now.

Music and themes

Musical style

blends with elements of , , and subtle folk influences, incorporating ambient textures in its atmospheric builds. Unlike the more polished production of prior albums like and , the record adopts a looser, jam-band energy infused with Grateful Dead-like and experimentation, as heard in tracks like "Space Invader." The album's instrumentation emphasizes the band's core lineup, with Bryan Devendorf's prominent live drums driving fluid, intricate rhythms that add urgency and propulsion, particularly in songs like "Deep End (Paul's in Pieces)" and "Smoke Detector." Layered guitars from the Dessner brothers—ranging from gossamer strums to distorted, repetitive licks—create a textured foundation, while Matt Berninger's signature baritone vocals deliver a muted, downcast intensity that anchors the sonic palette. Production highlights a warmer, rock vibe achieved through impromptu sessions at Flora Recording & Playback in Portland, overseen by , fostering an all-hands-on-deck approach that prioritizes spontaneity over meticulous refinement. Extended tracks exemplify this, such as the nearly eight-minute closer "Smoke Detector," which features improvisational builds captured during a June 2023 soundcheck, evolving from repetitive guitar motifs into pounding, futuristic crescendos. The album marks a shift to more collaborative, freewheeling arrangements drawn from 2023 tour improvisations, contrasting the band's earlier, more steered compositions. Tracks like "" showcase piano-driven ballads with haunting chords and soaring harmonies, underscoring the exploratory ethos. Guest vocals from artists like and briefly enhance these textures in select songs.

Lyrical content

The lyrics of explore core themes of hope amid despair, aging relationships, self-doubt, and redemption, marking a shift toward greater uplift compared to the unrelenting bleakness of the band's prior album, . Frontman draws from his experiences with depression, using songwriting as a therapeutic outlet to process emotional turmoil and emerge with tentative optimism. This thematic progression reflects Berninger's personal journey through therapy, where confronting inner darkness allows for glimmers of renewal in long-term partnerships and self-perception. Recurring motifs include references to everyday absurdities, such as the domestic irritations in "Smoke Detector," where Berninger fixates on mundane household annoyances as metaphors for broader isolation and disconnection during the pandemic. Dreams and farewells weave through the narrative, evoking farewells to past selves or relationships, often infused with autobiographical details from Berninger's family life and therapeutic reflections on vulnerability. The title track "Laugh Track" employs a metaphor of forced optimism—a canned laugh track in the face of personal crises—to capture the strain of maintaining facade amid doubt and loss. Collaborations highlight specific emotional depths, as in "Weird Goodbyes," co-written with , which meditates on the grief of loss, innocence fading, and the inevitability of letting go of cherished memories. Berninger's poetic style favors stream-of-consciousness delivery, allowing raw, unfiltered thoughts to unfold naturally, reinforced by recurring imagery of light/dark duality that underscores the tension between despair and emerging hope. This approach, rooted in his therapeutic process, transforms intimate confessions into universal explorations of resilience.

Reception

Critical reviews

Upon its release, Laugh Track received generally favorable reviews from music critics, earning a Metacritic score of 78 out of 100 based on 14 reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception with 13 positive and 1 mixed rating. It also holds an average score of 7.6 out of 10 on AnyDecentMusic?, aggregated from 16 reviews. Critics frequently praised the album's emotional depth in exploring themes of withdrawal and strained relationships, as well as its incorporation of guest features from artists like and , which added layers of intimacy and collaboration. The record's live feel was highlighted, with reviewers noting how the band road-tested material during their tour for the preceding album, resulting in a more organic and dynamic sound through the use of a full and refined arrangements. awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as a "heavier companion record" that revitalizes the band's sound with raw energy. Similarly, gave it 4 out of 5 stars, commending its "grownup take" on existential themes and calling it a "fresh start" that delivers a gripping payoff through intense tracks and strong vocal interplay. Some reviewers pointed to uneven pacing and a reliance on familiar formulas as drawbacks, with the album occasionally feeling overly extended or repetitive in its subdued moods. rated it 6.8 out of 10, appreciating the "less rigid, more freeform" quality but critiquing the abundance of "sullen piano ballads" and a lingering sense of sameness from prior releases. Overall, reviews positioned as a companion to the band's earlier 2023 release , often noting its greater accessibility and explosive moments that made it a more rewarding listen in comparison.

Year-end lists and accolades

Laugh Track received recognition on multiple critics' year-end lists for 2023, reflecting its positive reception as a companion to the band's earlier release that year. It ranked No. 32 on NME's list of the 50 best albums of 2023. Similarly, musicOMH placed it at No. 39 in their top 50 albums of the year. The album also appeared in genre-specific compilations, such as Paste Magazine's 30 best rock albums of 2023. MAGNET Magazine ranked it jointly with First Two Pages of Frankenstein at No. 7 on their top 25 albums list. Despite this acclaim, Laugh Track did not receive major award nominations, such as for the or .

Commercial performance

Chart positions

Laugh Track achieved moderate commercial success on various international album charts following its surprise digital release on September 18, 2023. In the United States, the album did not enter the but debuted at number 56 on the Top Album Sales chart, with 19,000 equivalent album units in its first week, bolstered by the momentum from the band's preceding album, . The release's unexpected nature contributed to its initial chart impact, particularly within niche genres. Internationally, Laugh Track entered the at number 24 for one week. It also peaked at number 2 on the UK Independent Albums Chart and number 3 on the UK Americana Albums Chart. In , it reached a peak of number 13 on the Official German Albums Chart (Offizielle Deutsche Charts) for one week in late 2023. The album also demonstrated strength on independent and rock subcharts across Europe, reflecting its appeal within audiences, though it had limited presence on main album charts in countries like the and .
CountryChartPeak PositionWeeks on Chart
Top Album Sales (Billboard)561
Albums Chart (Official Charts)241
Albums Chart (Offizielle Deutsche Charts)131
By 2025, Laugh Track maintained a sustained streaming presence on platforms like , with tracks accumulating millions of plays, supported by the band's ongoing tours.

Sales and certifications

Laugh Track has achieved steady commercial performance, particularly in streaming, with the album accumulating over 95 million streams on as of November 2025. Key track "Weird Goodbyes" featuring has exceeded 35 million streams on the platform, driving much of the album's digital engagement. Physical sales have been bolstered by limited edition vinyl releases, including indie-exclusive translucent pink and clear variants, which have proven popular among fans and contributed to strong independent retailer performance. Digital bundles paired with tour tickets have also aided overall unit totals, though specific global sales figures remain unreported in public sources. As of November 2025, the album has not received any RIAA certifications in the , where it is eligible for status based on streaming equivalents alone. Similarly, no certifications have been awarded by .

Credits

Track listing

"" consists of 12 tracks, with a total runtime of 59:19. All tracks are written primarily by , , and , with guest writers credited on featured collaborations where applicable. Production varies by track, with handling most, including "Alphabet City", "Deep End (Paul's in Pieces)", "Turn Off the House", "Dreaming", "This Isn't Working", "", "Tropic Morning News", "Letter from an Old Poet", and ""; produced "Crumble".
No.TitleDurationWriter(s)Producer(s)
1"Alphabet City"3:44, ,
2"Deep End (Paul's in Pieces)"4:29, ,
3"Weird Goodbyes" (feat. )5:03, ,
4"Turn Off the House"4:35, ,
5"Dreaming"3:46, ,
6"Laugh Track" (feat. )3:42, ,
7"This Isn't Working"4:18, ,
8"Eucalyptus"4:33, ,
9"Tropic Morning News"4:41, ,
10"Letter from an Old Poet"4:31, ,
11"Crumble" (feat. )3:57, ,
12"Smoke Detector"7:47, ,

Personnel

The core members of The National performed on Laugh Track, with providing lead vocals, handling guitar, keyboards, and production duties, contributing guitar and keyboards, on bass, and on drums. The album was produced by the band, with additional production from , , and James McAlister; also contributed to mixing. served as co-producer and provided additional vocal production on the title track "Laugh Track". contributed guitar and production on select tracks, including additional vocal production on "". Guest vocalists included (of ) on "Weird Goodbyes", on "Laugh Track", and on "Crumble". The album features string arrangements by the London Contemporary Orchestra on multiple tracks. Mixing was handled by Jonathan Low at Long Pond, with additional engineering by a team including Bella Blasko, , and . Mastering was performed by and Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound. Technical personnel
  • Assistant engineers: Sofia Campos, Alex Hornbeck, Jake Merritt, Ryan Bridenstine, Stu Tenold, Taylor Pescatore.
  • Recording engineers: Jonathan Low, , , Fiona Cruickshank.
  • Project manager (LCO recording): Christopher Reynolds.

References

  1. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160926-where-does-canned-laughter-come-from-and-where-did-it-go
  2. https://www.colorado.edu/asmagazine/2025/09/15/television-laughing-matter
  3. https://www.videomaker.com/how-to/directing/film-history/the-history-of-the-laugh-track/
  4. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/laugh-track-tv-shows-now-1236211370/
  5. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/features/the-national-album-laugh-track-matt-berninger-b2416601.html
  6. https://www.spin.com/2023/12/he-national-matt-berninger-interview/
  7. https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-the-nationals-matt-berninger-discuss-mental-depression-hell-with-david-letterman-3556391
  8. https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a45126264/aaron-dessner-the-national-laugh-track-interview/
  9. https://pitchfork.com/news/the-national-announce-new-album-laugh-track/
  10. https://www.newreleasesnow.com/album/the-national-laugh-track
  11. https://4ad.com/releases/1020
  12. https://www.npr.org/2023/10/14/1205518291/getting-older-with-or-without-the-national
  13. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-national-laugh-track/
  14. https://consequence.net/2023/09/the-national-laugh-track-stream/
  15. https://www.florarecording.com/gear
  16. https://americansongwriter.com/producer-songwriter-john-leventhal-reveals-debut-album-rumble-strip-share-two-singles/
  17. https://4ad.com/news/18/9/2023/newalbumlaughtrackoutnow
  18. https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-national-on-laugh-track-phoebe-bridgers-collaboration-she-embodies-that-weird-mix-of-dread-humour-and-beauty-3501112
  19. https://genius.com/albums/The-national/Laugh-track
  20. https://open.spotify.com/track/75JaY0e1HDkTfetsrQ5vUR
  21. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-national-release-new-album-laugh-track-ft-bon-iver-phoebe-bridgers-rosanne-cash/
  22. https://consequence.net/2023/09/the-national-new-album-laugh-track/
  23. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-national-surprise-new-album-laugh-track-homecoming-1234826622/
  24. https://thenational.bandcamp.com/album/laugh-track
  25. https://thenational.tmstor.es/product/121923
  26. https://www.discogs.com/release/28290919-The-National-Laugh-Track
  27. https://4ad.com/news/22/8/2022/weirdgoodbyesfeatboniver
  28. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/the-national-tropic-morning-news-adult-alternative-airplay-number-one-1235284096/
  29. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-national-alphabet-city-space-invader-singles-1234807997/
  30. https://pitchfork.com/news/the-national-share-new-songs-space-invader-and-alphabet-city-listen/
  31. https://4ad.com/news/1380
  32. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-national-phoebe-bridgers-laugh-track-video-1234879407/
  33. https://pitchfork.com/news/the-national-and-bon-iver-share-new-song-weird-goodbyes-listen/
  34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yds0HfMBQHw
  35. https://www.brooklynvegan.com/new-yorker-fest-2024-the-national-playing-webster-hall-seth-meyers-rachel-maddow-more/
  36. https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-the-national-laugh-track/
  37. https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-national/album-of-the-week-the-national-laugh-track-review
  38. https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/the-national-laugh-track-review-tracklist-lyrics-3498683/
  39. https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/the-national-matt-berninger-interview-new-albums-taylor-swift-3506365
  40. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/21/the-nationals-matt-berninger-i-have-a-healthy-marriage-because-i-write-about-looking-into-the-abyss
  41. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-national/smoke-detector
  42. https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/the-national-laugh-track/
  43. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/18/the-national-laugh-track-album-review
  44. https://www.metacritic.com/music/laugh-track/the-national
  45. http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/13765/The-National-Laugh-Track.aspx
  46. https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/the-national-laugh-track-review-tracklist-lyrics-3498683
  47. https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/best-albums-2023-3554171
  48. https://www.musicomh.com/features/lists/musicomhs-top-50-albums-of-2023
  49. https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/30-best-rock-albums-of-2023
  50. https://magnetmagazine.com/2023/12/14/magnets-top-25-albums-of-2023/
  51. https://www.billboard.com/pro/rosanne-cash-back-on-billboard-airplay-chart-the-national/
  52. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/national-laugh-track/
  53. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-details-524670
  54. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/2cCUtGK9sDU2EoElnk0GNB_songs.html
  55. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/2cCUtGK9sDU2EoElnk0GNB_albums.html
  56. https://shop.americanmary.com/products/laugh-track-2xvinyl-lp-pink
  57. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=The+National&ti=Laugh+Track#search_section
  58. https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?search=The+National+Laugh+Track
  59. https://www.discogs.com/artist/261537-The-National
  60. https://www.discogs.com/release/28945627-The-National-Laugh-Track
  61. https://www.discogs.com/release/28917025-The-National-Laugh-Track
  62. https://www.heyjonlow.com/
  63. https://genius.com/The-national-laugh-track-lyrics
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