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Laufey, illuminated by a soft backlight, is about to serenade the audience with yet another dreamy love song from her award-winning album Bewitched. Despite her humorous remark about the genre, she confidently strums on a cherry-red electric guitar over a crisp white blouse. The album has recently been honored with a Grammy for best traditional pop.
Combining elements of jazz and classical music with pop, Laufey creates dreamy songs that transport listeners to a nostalgic world of wine-stained lips, mysterious strangers, and heartbreak. Even her more cynical tracks are reminiscent of cinematic romances. In her song “Dreamer”, the 24-year-old declares she is done with dating – “I’m giving up on love / I can’t handle another dull conversation!” – yet the light arrangement adds a playful touch, as if setting the stage for the classic Hollywood moment when the heroine is swept off her feet.
Since her debut in 2021, the musician from Iceland with classical training and Chinese roots has received somewhat condescending praise for “introducing” jazz to Generation Z. This diminishes Laufey’s ability for pop storytelling and underestimates her fans; at tonight’s sold-out show, the crowd respectfully sings along to her unique, sweet contralto and cheers for cello solos with the same enthusiasm typically reserved for confetti cannons at a pop concert.
Laufey effortlessly glides through her bossa nova track “From the Start” with the grace of a lounge singer. She then showcases her musical talent by performing the sweet and playful “Best Friend” as a duet with her twin sister, who accompanies her on the violin. Adding a touch of jazz, Laufey sings the early hit “Like the Movies” before transitioning into the classic “Misty.” While she may describe herself as traditional, her slower songs can sometimes become too saccharine. However, she breaks this mold with a powerful and dynamic rendition of “Lovesick,” hinting at potential future musical experimentation.
Laufey confesses that her younger self lacked confidence and didn’t believe in herself enough, as she introduces her song “Letter to My 13 Year Old Self” as a small celebration of her success. Standing alone on stage without the accompaniment of the song’s strings, Laufey sings as if she’s looking at her reflection in a mirror. As she croons the lyrics “One day you’ll be on stage, with little girls screaming your name,” her fans fulfill this dream by screaming her name just like a chorus line on Broadway. With a wide smile, she adds, “and you’ll even win a Grammy!” Amidst all the romantic moments of the night, this quiet ballad is the true fairytale.
Source: theguardian.com
