HMR Classics: Josh Wink-Don’t Laugh

The Maniacal Techno Classic

Few tracks in the history of electronic music manage to be as mischievous, memorable, and outright audacious as Josh Wink’s Don’t Laugh. Released in 1995, this acid-tinged techno banger still stands tall as a fearless experiment in minimalism, driven by one of the most iconic and unsettling samples ever put to vinyl: a maniacal, looping laugh.

Whether you’re a seasoned raver or a curious newcomer, Don’t Laugh remains a firm favourite, cementing its place in the canon of dance music classics. But what makes this track so enduring? Let’s dive into the madness behind the music.

The Genius of Simplicity

Don’t Laugh is deceptively simple. Josh Wink—already making waves in the Philadelphia underground scene in the mid-90s—crafted the track with a stripped-back approach that lets every element shine.

The beat is pure groove: a rolling rhythm that pulls you into its hypnotic orbit. Then comes the bassline, dark and moody, with just enough acid edge to hook you. But the pièce de résistance? That eerie, uncontrollable laugh. Distorted, stretched, looped, and warped, it’s both unnerving and addictive.

What could have been a gimmick in lesser hands became a masterstroke for Wink, demonstrating his genius as a producer who wasn’t afraid to take risks.

A Mid-90s Dancefloor Sensation

When Don’t Laugh hit the scene, it was an instant conversation starter. DJs loved it because it wasn’t just a track—it was a moment. Drop it in the middle of a set, and you had the crowd simultaneously grinning and questioning their sanity.

The track resonated across Europe’s techno strongholds and the burgeoning house music scenes in the UK and the US. It embodied the experimental spirit of 90s electronic music, a time when producers were pushing boundaries and exploring the outer edges of what dance music could be.

The Laugh Heard Around the World

Let’s talk about the laugh. It’s what made Don’t Laugh unforgettable. Wink used it as both a melody and a motif, manipulating its pitch and rhythm to create an unnerving, almost sentient character.

The laughter captures a chaotic joy, a sound that’s equal parts playful and sinister. It’s the kind of thing that gets under your skin—in the best possible way. By turning something so simple into the star of the track, Wink showed just how far ingenuity and boldness could go.

Why Don’t Laugh Still Matters

Nearly three decades on, Don’t Laugh continues to captivate. It’s a staple in classic house and techno playlists, a track that’s as fun to rediscover as it is to drop in a modern DJ set. Whether it’s remixed for today’s clubs or played in its original glory, it still packs a punch.

But more than that, Don’t Laugh represents a golden era of dance music. It’s a reminder of a time when producers weren’t afraid to be weird, when the dancefloor was a place for experimentation as much as celebration.

Josh Wink’s Legacy in Dance Music

For Josh Wink, Don’t Laugh was just one highlight in a career that has spanned decades. As a pioneer of acid house and techno, Wink has always been a champion of pushing sonic boundaries. Tracks like Higher State of Consciousness may have grabbed the headlines, but Don’t Laugh is where he really let his mischievous side shine.