By Arielle Nguyen
Guess who lifted the worst-selling genre of music from its grave?
Laufey!
“By the time rock & roll caught on in the mid-fifties, the jazz style had virtually disappeared from popular music,” Washington University in St. Louis said.
Jazz emerged in New Orleans, living and breathing in the late 1900s. Established as a form of music that encompasses blues, ragtime and bubbly improvisation, jazz has certainly made itself a staple in many hearts… including Laufey’s.
Laufey (pronounced lay-vay), an Icelandic-Chinese singer, released her debut single, “Street By Street” in 2020, quickly gaining recognition and popularity. Eventually, she released her first Extended Play (EP), “Typical of Me” in April 2021. The jazz aficionado proved herself as a talented musician, mixing classical, folk, blues, jazz and, of course, her timeless fairytale voice.
Laufey released her new album “Bewitched” on Sept. 8, 2023. The album presented “Promise” and “From The Start,” which were singles released before the debut of “Bewitched.” Currently, “Promise” has accumulated over 29 million streams, and “From The Start” has over 116 million. Like many of her songs, “Bewitched” invites listeners to experience falling in love.
Please note that I’m biased. I have a history of being a Laufey “lauver”/snob/fiend.
“Dreamer”
The first song in the album, “Dreamer” illustrates the desire to escape reality, to continue dreaming without distraction. And it’s my favorite. Complemented with an exceptionally bouncy, upbeat rhythm and a catchy chorus, “Dreamer” is the perfect song to start the album! I imagine that it would be in those teen rom-com movies where the main character is bouncing around their school, dreaming about their love interest. The song perfectly conveys the determination to achieve self-autonomy and discover the limits of your imagination.
“Second Best”
As the title implies, “Second Best” is an anthem for people who were never the first choice. The delicate mix of gentle chords and Laufey’s melodic tones are easy candidates for a relaxing, calm song. I’d probably listen to this while crying in my shower or screaming into a pillow.
“Haunted”
“Haunted” strings together an unsettling, hazy melody mixed with romantic, unnerving lyrics to illustrate a passionate, unrequited love affair. An intoxicating indulgence, “Haunted” perfectly depicts the lingering, yearning feelings that love can have on a person. The singer recognizes that “You know what? Maybe this is unhealthy.” but it’s love. It’s a powerful, paradoxical, bittersweet embrace of a love affair. “Haunted” will go into my favorites playlist.
“Must Be Love”
Another song about love, vulnerability, and acceptance, but instead, it’s just pure love. No affairs, no unrequited feelings, etc. With Laufey’s voice echoing lyrics and adding a choir-like atmosphere, I feel as though “Must Be Love” perfectly encapsulates the reaction of love. This reaction is similar to when you tell your friends about a crush, and the chorus of “oohs’ ‘occurs. I feel as though this song could be used in a Disney Princess movie!
“While You Were Sleeping”
“While You Were Sleeping” is one of the softer-sounding songs in the album. When I listen to this song, I feel like my head is in the clouds. A delicate, spacey melody conveys the disbelief surrounding the thoughts of, “Wait, I’m in love with this person?” The song mimics the weightlessness, the carelessness, and the soft gentle fondness about being in love.
“Lovesick”
“Lovesick” plays with the pining experiences of loving someone. “Lovesick” is my second favorite song on the album. There’s a genuine longing to the lyrics and the melodies, the way you’d feel about gushing over your hallway crush when you’re admiring how the sun and its “gold rays” fall on their skin. Oh well, have fun yearning three miles away.
“California and Me”
A melodic, charismatic song… accompanied by the Philharmonia Orchestra! Strings of violins, cellos, and the delicate tones of Laufey’s voice mingle together perfectly in this song. When I first listened to “California and Me,” I heard another sense of longing in her voice, a mix of melancholy and loss. Although it’s not my favorite, I know many people will relate to a song about the end of a relationship and the shared, nostalgic memories.
“Nocturne (Interlude)”
“Nocturne (Interlude)” is an instrumental song composed in piano and played by Laufey. However, it feels just as emotional as the other tracks. This track is the perfect song for a cute little finals study playlist!
“Promise”
A song about breaking promises… to yourself. “Promise” perfectly describes the undesirable and inevitable feeling of still being attached to someone, despite trying to create distance. The track illustrates the temptations, the complications, and the aching emotions that arise from broken promises.
“From The Start”
Now, how do you fix yourself after listening to “Promise?” Imagine romanticizing heartbreak, and boom: “From The Start.” Laufey describes the song as “The ultimate friends to lovers song for all your delusional daydreams <3” and, wow, she was right. A bubbly, jazzy, upbeat song about a one-sided love. Surprisingly, it’s not too melancholic!
“Misty”
An endearing, soft-spoken cover of a song of the same name. “Misty” was originally released in 1954 by pianist Erroll Garner and was composed as an instrumental before rising as a jazz staple. Covers upon covers were released, both instrumentally and lyrically. Laufey’s cover still retains the older tracks’ ethereal, jazzy tones. Although it’s not my personal favorite, it’s perfect for music history fiends.
“Serendipity”
The word serendipity is defined as the occurrence of events happily or beneficially. In her song, Laufey expresses the joy of finding love and luck in unexpected encounters, hence the title. Accompanied by gentle, melancholic chords, the song sounds much more sorrowful than intended. Looking for an anthem about love at first sight?? An anthem for listeners who desire a love that feels like fate? Listen to “Serendipity.”
“Letter To My 13 Year Old Self”
“Letter To My 13 Year Old self” reflects on Laufey’s past. Her endeavor to heal from the bullying and forget the dreaded insecurities proved to be burdensome. In the end, she’s trying to encourage her younger self. Do not let your clothes or the matted tangles in your hair define your worth. Listening to personal songs cause me to sob, so I feel like many young adults will relate to this “Letter To My 13 Year Old Self,” the saddest song in the album.
“Bewitched”
The titular song of the album provides an ethereal, romantic instrumental accompanied by Laufey’s timeless fairytale tones. Through “Bewitched,” Laufey encapsulates an overwhelming hesitance to new love and passion, and just how bewildering the experience is. Overall, “Bewitched” delves into the unforgiving, unforgettable nature of falling so hopelessly in love with someone who can just … enchant you.
Through carefully constructed sentiments, desolate melodies and spacey lyrics, Laufey teaches her audience how to fall in love, heal from love, and all the in-betweens.
You can stream “Bewitched” on any music platform. Be ready to be cradled, loved, heartbroken and bewitched.
