Jazz’s Next Best Thing: Laufey
Laufey, the Icelandic-Chinese, musician residing in Los Angeles, just put out her next single “Valentine.” The 22-year-old is known for her smooth jazz sound and covers of Great American Song Book legends. She credits artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday as influences for her style in addition to both of her musician parents. The perfect craft of Laufey enrolled her into the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Additionally, Willow Smith, Billie Eilish, and Rolling Stone have given attention to her voice and classical sound. Debuting last year, her Typical of Me EP displays the control, precision, and skillfulness of her musical vision. Now, Laufey returns with her charming new single “Valentine.”
Her Songwriting and Vocality is Effortless
Special for Valentine’s Day Laufey’s new single is her look at love. The song touches on the feeling of having a love and not knowing how to handle it. The opening verse “I‘ve rejected affection/For years and years/Now I have it and damn it/It‘s kind of weird” captures the anxious feeling you get when falling in love. It could not be more relatable for those her age listening. With that, Laufey’s songwriting ability is another strength of her art. Credited completely to herself on this – and most of her songs – her writing can be compared to that of Taylor Swift. Like Swift, creating easy-to-understand messages seemingly effortlessly is a major artistic strength. She delivers lines like “What if he‘s the last one I kiss?/What if he‘s the only one I‘ll ever miss?” with smoothness.
Because of this, her songwriting carries the track. In addition to her soothing voice, an easy-going production is all the song needs. “Valentine” includes merely a soft drum, guiding piano, gentle guitar, and the beautiful harmonies of Laufey herself. Altogether Laufey’s clever songwriting and sublime voice create the perfect smooth jazz cocktail.
