Laufey is a Chinese-Icelandic, GRAMMY award-winning singer-songwriter. She is beyond talented in incorporating jazz, pop, orchestra, contemporary symphony, and pop.
What separates Laufey from other singers is that she is an artist and classical composer. Her music tells a deeper story with a smooth sound of piano and violins. She is Ella Fitzgerald inspired and I have never heard anything like it.
Laufey states “As a musician, my goal is to bring jazz and classical music to my generation”. She is also a multi-instrumentalist having performed as a cello soloist with Iceland Symphony Orchestra. She has incorporated the Philharmonia Orchestra and Iceland Symphony Orchestra in many of her songs. It adds an unmatched element. Her art has an elegant, gentle but moving touch.
By far her best album is Bewitched: The Goddess Edition which was released in April of 2024. It is her so-called love album and most vulnerable release. This is an upgraded version of the previous album Bewitched with four additional songs.
In her song “Letter To My 13-Year-Old Self” she vocalizes the struggles of identity as a teenager. This is by far my favorite song and one I think personally the crowds can relate to the most. In the song she is talking down to her younger self, giving her hope for the future. Laufey says, “I wish I could go back and give her a squeeze/ Myself at 13/ And just let her know, know that she’s beautiful”. That is such a strong line because looking back now older and grown up, I think most women would say that to their younger selves. Life seems so threatening and scary but as you get older you realize those things don’t even matter anymore. It’s a valuable lesson and I did not realize it until I listened to this song.
“Bored” is her 15th track on the album and her most bold piece. She talks about being in a relationship with someone who is self-obsessed, shallow, and vain. The track starts light and jazzy but then slowly speeds up increasing volume and pace while singing, “Bored of this love/ Oh, I’m bored/ Bored of this talk/ And maybe you’re just way too vain to be interesting/ Baby, keep talkin’, but nobody’s listening”. She brings up the idea of leaving her past relationship for someone more positive and understanding.
The track “Promise” is a response to “Bored” explaining how she eventually went back to her ex even though he still has horrible qualities. This song is another major people pleaser because she is so raw and real. Many people can relate to this track in an emotional and vulnerable way. The statements, “It hurts to be something with you/ It’s worse to be nothing with you/ I’ve done the math/There’s no solution/ We’ll never last”. Laufey describes being in love with a bad person in a different way. She knows there is better but she can’t let go of the past.
I feel Laufey is an artist in my time like no other. I’ve never heard anything like it in this generation. So clean and magical. She brings a feeling of joy and a lightweight sense. I do think her music is made for women only though to be specific. The melodies and depth of the song were made for femininity.