Despite going against the pop zeitgeist with her jazz fusions, Laufey has gained rapid mainstream traction. In just five years since the release of her debut single, the Icelandic-born, American-raised musician has embarked on a world tour, scored a Platinum-certified single with ‘From The Start’ and become the youngest ever winner of a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at just 24.
Perhaps her biggest success of all has been bringing a variety of classic genres to the attention of the younger generation, from bossa nova to Baroque pop. Her third album, ‘A Matter Of Time’, builds on her signature blend of influences, with some surprises in store.
Opening tracks ‘Clockwork’ and ‘Lover Girl’ are typical Laufey love songs with a wholesome coffee shop vibe, lulling us into a false sense that we’re in for more of the same – but the atmosphere takes several significant yet seamless changes throughout the course of the album. ‘Castle In Hollywood’ is the first notable pivot: a bittersweet, showgirl-style ballad with fairytale imagery and musical theatre vocals. The old Hollywood fairytale concept is built upon throughout the album: ‘Carousel’ could be pulled straight out of a classic Disney film. Despite the idealistic setting, Laufey skilfully manages to avoid romanticisation; the mood alternates between love and heartbreak, creating emotional turmoil that is perfectly executed with soft yet dramatic vocals and instrumental variety.
As has become customary for Laufey, an interlude is featured halfway through the album. ‘Cuckoo Ballet’ is a majestic, twinkling instrumental that exhibits her immaculate cello-playing skills. ‘Forget Me Not’ lays further into her classical talent, showcasing her rich alto vocal range. Other tracks take on a more stripped-back approach – the opening of ‘Tough Luck’ is led by minimal acoustic guitar and whispered vocals, but ascends with the chorus into a layered, echoing orchestra of textures, which Laufey describes as: ”the prettiest rage that I could put out.”
‘Mr Eclectic’ mirrors the smooth, Latin-inspired rhythms heard in previous album ‘Bewitched’. They are paired with witty, biting lyrics embodying the sentiment of classic jazz artists such as Eartha Kitt and Peggy Lee – the latter, one of Laufey’s greatest inspirations. ‘Clean Air’ is an outlier, bringing yet another genre into the picture: country and western. Despite being new turf for Laufey, it works surprisingly well with her vocal style, aided by lyrical imagery of sunshine and pastures juxtaposed against themes of suffering in love.
While Laufey’s technical ability remains centre stage, her growth as a lyricist is equally striking. Lines in ‘Snow White’ such as “A woman’s best currency is her body, not her brain” show a new willingness to tackle darker, politically charged themes. The result is an album that feels bolder and more ambitious than her past work, marking not only a leap in artistry but in confidence, too.
‘A Matter of Time’ is due to be released on August 22 via AWAL.
