"Who's Laughing Now"
Max is seen posing topless in front of a red background covered in flames.
Single by Ava Max
from the album Heaven & Hell
ReleasedJuly 30, 2020 (2020-07-30)
GenreDance-pop
Length3:00
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ava Max singles chronology
"Kings & Queens"
(2020)		 "Who's Laughing Now"
(2020)		 "OMG What's Happening"
(2020)
Music video
"Who's Laughing Now" on YouTube

"Who's Laughing Now" is a song by American singer Ava Max, released on July 30, 2020, through Atlantic Records as the sixth single from her debut studio album, Heaven & Hell (2020). The song was written by Max, Madison Love, Måns Wredenberg, Noonie Bao, and producers Cirkut and Lotus IV. It is a dance-pop song with lyrics about a girl being gaslighted, and continues from Max's 2018 song "Sweet but Psycho". "Who's Laughing Now" reached number one in Poland, and charted in the top ten in eight countries. An accompanying music video was directed by Isaac Rentz and depicts Max seeking revenge on her boss and cheating boyfriend.

Background and development

Max first teased "Who's Laughing Now" on her social media accounts on May 28, 2020,[1] before officially announcing the single's initial June 2, 2020 release date, and cover art the next day.[2][3] The release date was subsequently postponed because it coincided with Blackout Tuesday.[4] She then announced that the song would be released on June 25, 2020,[5] but was also indefinitely delayed on June 17, 2020.[6] She eventually announced that it would be released on July 30, 2020.[7] The cover art depicts a topless Max positioned in front of a flaming background.[2] "Who's Laughing Now" was written by Max, Madison Love, Måns Wredenberg, Noonie Bao, Cirkut and Lotus IV, with the latter two handling production.[8]

Composition and critical reception

"Who's Laughing Now" is a dance-pop song,[4][9] which contains several minor chords.[10] Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic compared the song's island groove to artists such as Clean Bandit and Ace of Base.[11] It was written as a continuation from her 2018 song "Sweet but Psycho", as the lyrics both describe a misunderstood girl being gaslighted, and serve as an analogy to Max's own experiences being rejected in the music industry. She summarized the song as "basically telling everyone to just fuck off".[12] Max stated that "Who's Laughing Now" is targeted towards females who had bullied her throughout middle school, causing her to start home-school.[13] The song's title was envisioned after a self-discovery revelation by Max.[14]

Writing for Us Weekly, Nicholas Hautman praised the chorus of "Who's Laughing Now", indicating that it had the catchiest "don't cha" since the Pussycat Dolls song "Don't Cha" (2005).[15] However, Issy Sampson of The Guardian criticized the song for sounding similar to "Sweet but Psycho", which she described as an "irritating earworm". She added that the former used a "smug" horrible personality trait in place of "psychotic."[16]

Music video

The music video was directed by Isaac Rentz and released on July 30, 2020.[17] Max is depicted as a person seeking revenge after being fired by her boss and cheated on by her boyfriend. She is seen dancing in a destroyed office and breaking a car with a crowbar, before breaking free of a psychiatric hospital while strapped in a straitjacket.[18] Max wrote the video's plot, which she decided to incorporate several female characters into a corporate workforce dominated by men. One character portrayed by Max is gaslighted by a doctor into becoming "psycho", while another had musical instruments appearing from her head, which was parallel to her own negative experiences with music executives.[12] An interactive quiz was launched as a collaboration with Spotify prior to the release of Max's debut studio album Heaven & Hell (2020). It contains 10 questions asking about personality, resulting in the choice of one of four characters portrayed in the music video; Amanda, Torrence, Carmen, and Ava.[19]

Track listings

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[8]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Who's Laughing Now"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[65] Gold 15,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[66] Gold 20,000‡
France (SNEP)[67] Platinum 200,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[68] Platinum 60,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[69] 2× Platinum 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Who's Laughing Now"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various July 30, 2020 Original Atlantic [70]
August 12, 2020 The Remixes[lower-alpha 1] [21]
August 14, 2020 Streaming [23]
August 20, 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 [22]
August 21, 2020 Streaming [24]
Italy September 18, 2020 Radio airplay Original Warner [73]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Two extended plays containing remixes of "Who's Laughing Now" were released on digital download and streaming formats. The version released on August 12, 2020, contained the Breathe Carolina and Cat Dealers remixes, while another version released on August 20, 2020, contained the KOLIDESCOPES, COASTR. and Jordan Jay remixes. Additionally two extended plays containing remixes were released on Spotify; the version released on August 14, 2020,[71] contained the same remixes as the extended play from August 12, 2020, with the original version appearing last in the track listing.[72] Another extended play was released on August 21, 2020, which contained every released remix and the original song.

References

  1. ↑ "You think you know what's next ?". May 28, 2020. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020 – via Instagram.
  2. 1 2 Francisco, Vitor (May 29, 2020). "Ava Max anuncia novo single, "Who's Laughing Now?", para próxima terça-feira (02)". PapelPop (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  3. ↑ "WHO'S LAUGHING NOW? 🔥 June 2nd". May 29, 2020. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020 – via Facebook.
  4. 1 2 Wass, Mike (June 2, 2020). "Ava Max Announces New Single "Who's Laughing Now"". Idolator. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  5. ↑ @AvaMax (June 15, 2020). "June 25th. Who's laughing now 🖤" (Tweet). Retrieved June 15, 2020 – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ @AvaMax (June 17, 2020). "WLN will be further postponed as of today's news" (Tweet). Retrieved June 17, 2020 – via Twitter.
  7. ↑ "THURSDAY. WHOS LAUGHING NOW. 🔥". July 27, 2020. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020 – via Instagram.
  8. 1 2 "Who's Laughing Now – Credits". Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Tidal.
  9. ↑ Martoccio, Angie (November 16, 2020). "'In My Room' With Ava Max". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  10. ↑ Honke, Issei (September 29, 2020). "'ヘヴン＆ヘル' エイバ・マックス（Album Review)" ['Heaven & Hell' Ava Max (Album Review)]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  11. ↑ Yeung, Neil Z. "Heaven & Hell - Ava Max". AllMusic. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  12. 1 2 Wang, Steffanee (July 30, 2020). "Ava Max On "Who's Laughing Now" & Getting Revenge On Those Who Doubted Her". Nylon. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  13. ↑ Bang Showbiz (September 15, 2020). "'People shouldn't compare women': Ava Max on Lady Gaga comparisons". The List. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  14. ↑ Zipper, Marni (September 14, 2020). "Ava Max's Definition of Success Is All About Being Authentically You". Radio.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  15. ↑ Hautman, Nicholas (September 17, 2020). "Ava Max Shows Promise on Anthem-Filled Debut Album 'Heaven & Hell': Review". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  16. ↑ Sampson, Issy (August 14, 2020). "Tracks of the week reviewed: Billie Eilish, Ava Max, Action Bronson". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  17. ↑ Celebretainment (July 31, 2020). "Ava Max to drop debut album in September". Martinsville Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  18. ↑ Mamo, Heran (July 30, 2020). "Ava Max Seeks Sweet But Psychotic Revenge in 'Who's Laughing Now' Music Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  19. ↑ Riddell, Rose (September 17, 2020). "Quiz: Which Ava Max personality are you?". Coup de Main. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Who's Laughing Now". Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020 – via YouTube Music.
  21. 1 2 Releases for The Remixes:
  22. 1 2 Releases for The Remixes:
  23. 1 2 "Who's Laughing Now (The Remixes) - Single by Ava Max, Breathe Carolina, Cat Dealers". Retrieved May 10, 2021 – via Spotify.
  24. 1 2 "Who's Laughing Now (The Remixes) - Single by Ava Max, Jordan Jay, KOLIDESCOPES". Retrieved May 10, 2021 – via Spotify.
  25. ↑ "Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now?" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now?" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now?" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  28. ↑ Ava Max — Who's Laughing Now. TopHit. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  29. ↑ "ARC 100 - datum: 16. studenoga 2020" [ARC 100 - date: November 16, 2020] (in Croatian). HRT. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  30. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202041 into search. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  31. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 20214 into search. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Ava Max Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  33. ↑ Algo, Aleksander (August 11, 2020). "Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: nublu lööb terve tabeli laiaks". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Ava Max: Who's Laughing Now" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Ava Max: Who's Laughing Now (Album)". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 41, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  41. ↑ "2020 32-os SAVAITĖS (liepos 31 d. – rugpjūčio 6 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 7, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Ava Max Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 4, 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now?" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  45. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 10, 2020. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  46. ↑ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 36, 2020". VG-lista. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  48. ↑ Arvunescu, Victor (March 1, 2021). "Top Airplay 100 - Început de primăvară, cu Alina Eremia pe primul loc!" [Top Airplay 100 – Beginning of spring, with Alina Eremia on the top!] (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  50. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20215 into search. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  51. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202040 into search. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  52. ↑ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  53. ↑ "Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now?". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now?". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Weekly Chart: 28 August 2020". TopHit. August 28, 2020. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Single Top 100 - eladási darabszám alapján - 2020". Mahasz. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  58. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög – 2020" [The Music – Songs – 2020] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  59. ↑ "Najpopularniejsze single radiowe i najlepiej sprzedające się płyty 2020 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  60. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2020". hitparade.ch. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  61. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2021". Ultratop. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  62. ↑ "Pjesma 'Save Your Tears' najpopularnija je strana pjesma u prošloj godini" (in Croatian). Hrvatska radiotelevizija (HRT). January 5, 2022. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  63. ↑ "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  64. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  65. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  66. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  67. ↑ "French single certifications – Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  68. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Ava Max – Who's Laughing Now" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  69. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  70. ↑ "Ava Max anuncia novo álbum e disponibiliza o single 'Who's Laughing Now'" [Ava Max announces new album and releases the single 'Who's Laughing Now'] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Terra. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  71. ↑ "Ava Max on Spotify". Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2021 – via Spotify.
  72. ↑ "Ava Max on Spotify". Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2021 – via Spotify.
  73. ↑ "Ava Max "Who's Laughing Now" | (Radio Date: September 18, 2020)". Radio Airplay SRL (in Italian). Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
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