Laufey Jónsdóttir, the Icelandic jazz-pop sensation, is not just breathing new life into jazz; she’s infusing it with a raw energy that defies genre boundaries. The 27-year-old artist, celebrated for her innovative sound, recently recalled a defining moment from the set of her music video for ‘Mad Woman’—one that involved striking actor Hudson Williams with a red snapper, a scene that hilariously underscored her journey towards embracing primal emotions.
“Oh my God, it was amazing. It was cathartic,” she reflects, laughter dancing in her voice. “I had a lot of unreleased energy that I released on poor Hudson.” Set against a backdrop inspired by the chic aesthetics of the 1960s, the video marries a storyline about Laufey’s tumultuous relationship with comedic absurdity, allowing her to tap into emotions she rarely expresses.
Known for her swoon-worthy melodies and confessional lyrics, Laufey has since 2022 enchanted audiences worldwide, earning two Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Pop Album. Her musical exploration began at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where she synthesized her love for classic jazz, cinematic scores, and modern pop sensations like Taylor Swift. Her breakout track, ‘Street by Street’, set the tone for a unique style that even defied genre classification.
“When I first uploaded that song, I was baffled by the genre question on the submission form,” she admits. “In the end, I settled for ‘singer-songwriter’, but the struggle to define my music has persisted ever since.” Despite the confusion among critics, Laufey embraces her eclectic approach, expressing gratitude for the generational shift in music consumption. “Younger audiences don’t feel constrained by labels; they listen to what resonates with them,” she asserts. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be a musician in this era where genre means less than ever.”
The release of her latest album, ‘A Matter of Time’, last August, represented a significant artistic milestone for Laufey. The album, thematically centered around a relationship marked by anxiety and introspection, showcases her willingness to experiment with new sounds. From the soulful lead single ‘Silver Lining’ to the vibrant Brazilian rhythms of ‘Lover Girl’, the record encapsulates a range of emotions, culminating in the chaos-laden track ‘Sabotage’. “That song was the first I wrote for the album, symbolizing my challenge to break out of traditional molds, both musically and personally,” she explains.
Critically, ‘A Matter of Time’ highlights her newfound vulnerability, allowing raw moments and imperfect notes to emerge. Inspired by her first love experience, Laufey’s lyrics reveal her internal struggles, embodying both excitement and trepidation in songs like ‘Carousel’ and ‘A Cautionary Tale’. “For the first time, I allowed emotion to override technique,” she shares, showcasing a profound evolution in her craft.
In a world increasingly devoid of musical labels, Laufey is at the forefront of a transformative era, proving that jazz can indeed be 'cool' again—often with the help of an unexpectedly slippery companion.
Source: BBC Entertainment
