Following a recent collaboration with Beabadoobee and a series of sold-out shows during her North American Bewitched tour, Laufey has earned the title of our November 2023 Artist to Watch.
Laufey is a Chinese-Icelandic singer-songwriter who has firmly established her presence in the modern jazz scene with a unique blend of atmospheric lo-fi jazz-pop. She is a seasoned cellist and pianist whose deep appreciation for jazz developed as she listened to her parents’ record collection while studying classical music throughout her childhood. Jazz bridged the gap between classical and contemporary music for Laufey, allowing her to explore and experiment. Moving away from classical music closer towards jazz has provided her with the freedom to create music that is truly her own.
Laufey’s lush and dreamy vocal tones perfectly complement the emotional depth of her lyrics, which tell stories of life and love. During her time at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Laufey released her debut single “Street by Street,” which gained lots of recognition in her home country. Following her graduation in 2021, she released her debut EP, Typical of Me, and just a year later, her full-length album Everything I Know About Love, which reached the #1 spot on Billboard’s Alternative New Artist Album chart. She has not abandoned her love for classical music entirely, as she released her interpretation of the album with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra this spring. In September of this year, Laufey shared her latest album, Bewitched, with us showcasing a more seasoned artist weaving her signature sound with more clever and thoughtful lyricism.
Currently, Laufey is on tour across the United States, with her upcoming performance in Philadelphia on November 3rd at the Theater of the Living Arts; tickets and more information on that show can be found at WXPN’s Concerts and Events page. Be sure to check out her latest collaboration with Beabadoobee, “A Night To Remember,” below, and keep an eye out for her studio session on World Cafe later this fall.