 5/5

On Aug. 26, Laufey released her debut album: “Everything I Know About Love.” In July, her popularity increased when one of her singles, “Valentine”  became a popular TikTok audio. That success bolstered the overall reach of her work is significant especially since this album was a project close to her heart, one on which she was a writer, producer, and composer for.

The album starts with the song “Fragile” beginning with an uplifting, mellow buildup of strings. Laufey has described the song as about growing up feeling like you’re not truly experiencing anything, but now she’s ready to break out of that glass box. This is one of my favorite opening tracks of an album because she illustrates herself opening to new possibilities.

Tracks two and five, “Beautiful Stranger” and “Dear Soulmate” present a romantic tone through slow, melodic compositions of the guitar and piano to orchestrate whimsical, graceful sounds that portray a lovesick feeling of being hopelessly in love with the idea of love. She tells stories about the endless romantic possibilities that could occur.

As the album progresses, it is evident how new to love she is such as in “What Love Will Do To You” and her cover of a Frank Loesser song called “I’ve Never Been In Love Before.” Through a harmony with the guitar and bass, each song creates an enchanting story about being in love. In these songs she describes a feeling that depicts the first developments of a new relationship. These songs are my favorite songs of hers because they really show the jazz aspect of the album. Through the syncopation and swing of these tracks, I feel like I’m at a jazz club, listening to her live.

Then there are songs like “Just Like Chet” and “Hi,” which explore the sorrowful side of falling in love. The plaintive instrumental backtrack helps tell the story about reminiscing on an old love and moving on.

Both tracks four and 13, “Above the Chinese Restaurant” and “Night Light,” have a theme of reminiscing on the past. In track four Laufey creates an alluring story about the past and aching to go back to simpler times. One of the things I love about this track is that she creates a descriptive story about a couple in Chinatown and turns it into something that anyone can relate to; anybody finding themselves longing for the past. Then the closing track has a beautiful piano score that generates a nostalgic ambience, one that has the ability to transport listeners to a sentimental memory.

With a fresh, contemporary jazz style, Laufey’s voice gives the same feeling as being wrapped in a warm blanket. Listeners are able to interpret every song on this tracklist in many different ways. She is helping bring contemporary jazz mainstream, and I would recommend that everyone should give a listen to this album.

Listen to “Everything I Know About Love” on Spotify!