Laufey, an Icelandic-Chinese singer, songwriter and producer, rose to fame in 2021 for her unique blend of jazz and classical in the growing world of pop music. Laufey’s emotionally resonant lyrics sung with heart-warming elegance have resonated with millions of listeners. Her albums so far are “Everything I Know About Love” in 2022 and “Bewitched” in 2023, which won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Grammy Award.
With her strong background in playing the piano and cello, Laufey’s elements of classical music in her songs string sophisticated melodies with delicate instrumental arrangements. Her silky, smooth voice and timelessly contemporary music is truly one of a kind. If you’re a fellow fan of Laufey, check out these other artists and albums that have a similar vibe.
“Driving Just To Drive” by Matt Maltese
British singer-songwriter Matt Maltese’s soft, soulful songs about navigating life make his music just as dreamy. This 2023 album is about adulthood and nostalgia, my favorite song of the 11 tracks being “Museum.” If I were to describe the album in one word, it would be “cinematic,” with his cleverly written lyrics amid harmonious melodies, preserving the beauty and purity of life through the album.
Maltese reminds me of Laufey primarily because of the minimalist arrangements in his songs, usually consisting of either playful piano melodies or soft guitar tunes. The album concludes with the song titled “But leaving is” that follows a piano melody, with the harmonies crescendoing, dropping and melting together at all the right moments.
“Columbo” by Bruno Major
British singer-songwriter Bruno Major’s album is similar to Maltese’s in terms of its cinematic musical production. This 2023 album revolves around themes of introspection and love.
Major weaves in hints of jazz in his songs, and though it’s not as prominent as in Laufey’s music, the peaceful, delicate instrumentals are actually my favorite element of this album. It begins, for example, with an ascending piano arpeggio that musically kicks off the album with the song “The Show Must Go On.” His brilliant, compelling acoustical choices will undoubtedly appeal to Laufey listeners.
In addition, he embeds pure instrumental songs in this album with “St Mary’s Terrace,” a dreamy piano solo melody, and “The End,” an ensemble arrangement with an electric guitar solo, which is a similar approach to Laufey’s balanced albums like “Nocturne (Interlude)” in Bewitched.
“Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones
American singer-songwriter Norah Jones’s music feels just like a glass of honey milk. This 2002 album won Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist at the 2003 Grammy Awards. The lyrics convey a sense of love and longing in a comforting way. The intimacy and warmth of the instrumentals follow closely to blues.
Across the album, the melody consists mainly of soft guitar. The gentle melody compliments her delicate voice, and the swaying-style of her singing reminds me of Laufey.
Listening to this album always transcends me to a late-night jazz club, where the musicians on stage are setting a groovy, comfortable ambiance among the murmurs of conversation in the audience.
“When We Were Younger” by grentperez
Australian singer-songwriter grentperez’s career launched with 2021 single “Cherry Wine,” a light jazzy songs I highly recommend for Laufey lovers. This 2023 album in particular features groovy music about growing up, and it’s got more of an upbeat vibe than the previous albums, if that floats your boat.
For jazz lovers, this album has a subtle and soothing incorporation of jazz. This album embodies a light, bedroom-pop vibe, exemplified by the mouth-trumpet solo in the song “When We Were Younger” along with the gentle guitar riffs and mellow tempo throughout the songs “Silver Lining” and “Old With You,” my two personal favorites.
“Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas” by Ella Fitzgerald
American singer-songwriter Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) was known as the “Queen of Jazz.” In an MTV interview, Laufey talks about singing Fitzgerald and Chet Baker’s songs as a child and growing up under a strong jazz influence.
Just in time for the holidays around the corner, this 1960 album consists of Fitzgerald’s jazzy adaptations of iconic Christmas songs from “Jingle Bells” to “Frosty The Snowman.” She embeds snippets of saxophone and trumpet solos while covering the lyrics with her full-toned, velvety voice.
Laufey herself has released both original Christmas songs and Christmas covers, like the recent “A Very Laufey Holiday” album, where she covers some of the same songs present in Fitzgerald’s album.
So, for the Laufey lovers who have yet to discover Fitzgerald, her hundreds of songs will be plenty to keep you busy before Laufey releases a new album.
These five albums hold a special place in my heart, and with Laufey’s growing popularity, I hope these songs resonate with you just as much as with me.
