One influence you don’t see much in modern pop music is jazz, which Laufey seamlessly incorporates into her style. Her jazz-inspired approach can draw admiration and curiosity from jazz-pop fans, making her stand out in the scene.
Her third studio album, “A Matter of Time,” originally 14 songs, was re-released this week with an additional five tracks, creating a fresh experience for fans and attracting new listeners.
On the whole, the album is a great blend of jazz and pop, with standout tracks like “Castle in Hollywood,” “Snow White” and “Mr. Eclectic” that showcase Laufey’s emotional depth, helping listeners feel connected and inspired by her artistry. They’re far from the only good songs on the album, though.
“Lover Girl,” the second track and probably the song most people would be familiar with, is incredible, outlining the layers that will be present throughout the rest of this album. The strings go from happy and upbeat to slow, uneasy; the song really shows her range.
“Castle in Hollywood,” one of the more pop-oriented songs on the album, is a bittersweet number about two friends who made life plans but had a falling out before they were able to reach them. Through both the lyrics and Laufey’s emotional singing, this song captures the nostalgia and bitterness that come from losing an extremely close friendship.
“Snow White” is a ballad that feels a bit less jazzy (at least I’ve never heard another jazz song with a backing guitar) about comparing oneself to others, which could venture into cliche, but Laufey puts her whole chest into it in a way that really sells it.
“Mr. Eclectic” is another poetic song, aimed at the so-called “performative man,” which manages to connect clever lyrics with a fun beat, in a way that is lacking in the modern pop scene at the moment. Who else could take on performative men with a backing track that feels like something Sinatra would sing over?
Not only does this album have a lot of great lyrical songs, but it also has great instrumentals. Nowhere is this more evident than in the album’s eighth song, “Cuckoo Ballet (Interlude),” which takes several motifs from across different songs and combines them into an excellent compilation of instrumental music, which feels waltz-y and dreamlike. It makes me want to get up and dance around my room.
“Madwoman” (whose music video includes actors Hudson Williams and Lola Tung, KATSEYE member Megan Skiendiel as well as Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu) has to be my favorite of the five new tracks.
The mix of jazz and the aesthetic of the ’60s in the music video at first seemed odd to me, but as it went on, I appreciated the energy.
Laufey’s voice is truly incredible, conveying deep emotion in every song, from bittersweet ballads to love songs, and inspiring admiration and appreciation for her talent.
This is an incredible junior album from an artist on the rise. If you are interested in jazz, this is a great album to start dipping your toes into that world.
