‘Jazz’ to the vast majority of individuals feels like a forgotten and frozen genre- a genre preserved only within old vinyls and records that are occasionally used in high-tier restaurants for a nice ambiance. They also make the occasional appearance in an old movie. However, jazz has supposedly been revived over the last few years through the beautifully composed music by a young woman named Laufey. Known widely for her beautiful blend of classical orchestras alongside her modern, contemporary lyrical writing has made her a fast emerging star with millions of listeners around the world!
Most know Laufey as the famous Icelandic singer who made it big after her debut single ‘Street by Street’ in 2020, kickstarting her career. However, Laufey has become far more than a mere artist; she has become a symbol of bridging between traditional and modern music, reawakening love for the genre of ‘jazz’ as she adopts a style of music that is adored by millions worldwide. Rather than replacing jazz, she uses a wide array of various components, such as orchestral strings, gentle pianos, and slower melodies to reintroduce it, creating a gateway for younger listeners to engage with a genre often viewed as ‘outdated’. In other words, she has crafted a beautiful blend between genres that has become timeless and enjoyed by audiences on a wider scale.
Laufey’s rapid ascent left many bewildered, as after recording videos of herself on social media showcasing her musical instrument adequacy and vocal talent, she began to uphold her name and manage to stay afloat in the chaotic, interchangeable storm known as the music industry. Despite many labeling her as the ‘savior of Jazz’ and correlating her music with certain aspects that revive the genre, she feels that the classical elements and jazz she adds to her songs and albums is minimal and not at all what typically fits into that category (which of course fans disagree with--still deeming her the infamous title and claiming her albums have kept the genre alive in this modern age.)
Growing up in Iceland as a Chinese immigrant led Laufey to experience many moments of isolation and feelings of being ‘outcast’ from others. Throughout her adulthood, while building her career, it’s clear that her outlet for these feelings was through her contemporary lyrics in her music, where her stories of discomfort and sadness were crafted and moulded into something beautiful to the ears and gentle to the heart.
We are given an insight into her childhood and feelings of incompetence through her song ‘a letter to my 13 year old self’ and numerous other songs which tell true stories of her life – touching the hearts of those worldwide who have grown accustomed to not having relatable artists in the industry who understand the difficulties of navigating through childhood while feeling like an outsider. In this song, she speaks of her feelings as a 13-year-old girl in an Icelandic school while having segments of herself as a young adult reassuring her younger self that she will make it through and be successful in the end, making many young girls who listen to it feel there is light at the end of the tunnel. What’s beautiful about her music is that rather than channelling this feeling of insecurity into something negative, she embraces the uncomfortable feeling with open arms, willing to use it as fuel for her songs that show young women and those who align with her experiences that being ‘outcast’ or ‘different’ is commonly felt and experienced.
Her music isn’t merely appealing to immerse yourself in, but also offers a form of solace and comfort to those who resonate with her stories and have found struggles in their childhood with societal norms. What makes Laufey’s music so special- especially to the younger generations- is not her classical elements nor jazzy undertones, but the meaningful stories she articulately tells through her lyrics. Each song from “Let You Break My Heart Again” to “Best Friend” depicts an array of stories that captivate the hearts of people as they deem her lyrics to be relatable and sweet in contrast with the dramatised and loud pop we have today. Laufey allows Jazz to exist in a new sense that feels modern and relatable to younger listeners and has done so in a way that preserves the core principles of listening to music: comfort and enjoyment.
