 "House of Jealous Lovers" is a dance-punk song. Its percussion section features disco hi-hat patterns and snare drums doubled with handclaps. The DFA reshaped the percussion by layering and reversing the hi-hats and chopping the drums. The song includes prominent cowbell rhythms that grow louder through the course of the song. Its jagged, coarse guitar is doubled with electronic effects. The sound follows British predecessors such as Gang of Four, Public Image Ltd, and Happy Mondays.
