Photo Credit: Emma Summerton
GRAMMY®-winning Icelandic-Chinese artist, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Laufey releases her poignant new single, “Lover Girl”, the latest preview of her eagerly awaited album ‘A Matter of Time’, due August 22 via Vingolf Recordings / AWAL. Described as an “otherworldly artist” by TIME and heralded by Variety for her “heartening” major-league pop ascendency, Laufey invites listeners into the quiet heartbreak of longing with this track. “The hardest part of loving someone is being away from them. This is that story,” she explains. Fans can listen HERE and watch the lyric video HERE.
This release arrives as Laufey, celebrated by Billboard Philippines for crafting albums that mark distinct landmarks in her evolution “both as an artist and as a woman” and lauded as a “musical tour de force” by the Los Angeles Times, feels creatively liberated. “Every new album for me is a blank book of stories to write,” she shares. Her journey so far infused 2022’s ‘Everything I Know About Love’ with coming-of-age tales and 2023’s GRAMMY®-winning ‘Bewitched’ with young love, brought to life through sweeping orchestral arrangements, bossa nova and jazz strains, and her honeyed alto, making vintage sounds timeless.
For ‘A Matter of Time’, Laufey further crystallizes her singular sound, still rooted in her beloved classical and jazz influences but deliberately forgoing strict rules. “I’m constantly thinking about how to properly preserve them and pay homage… but I just wanted to let my heart wander,” she notes. Embracing this freedom, she collaborated with familiar co-producer Spencer Stewart and newcomer Aaron Dessner (Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran), known for helping artists open up. This unrestrained approach allowed Laufey to explore heavier themes and new facets of herself. “People expect a pretty façade… This time, I was interested in seeing how I could draw out the most flawed parts of myself,” she states. The album captures “real love” in its many forms, revealing vulnerability and anxiety with daring playfulness.
Laufey (pronounced lay-vay) has captivated a generation by manifesting her vision of jazz-and-classical-infused pop, becoming a bridge to older music for younger listeners through her bold interpretations in the whimsical “Laufey Land”. Raised between Reykjavik and Washington, D.C., she mastered piano and cello early, later studying at Berklee College of Music. Her debut EP ‘Typical of Me’ (2021) launched a trajectory including 5 billion global streams, a 25 million-strong social media audience, historic Spotify jazz LP debuts, Billboard Top 20 albums, Platinum plaques, Forbes 30 Under 30, and TIME’s 2025 Women of the Year. She’s sold out iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Royal Albert Hall, performed with major orchestras, shared stages with Jon Batiste and Raye, and collaborated with artists from Beabadoobee to Norah Jones.
Following sold-out shows across Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines – her #2 global streaming market – Malaysia, Japan, Taipei), Laufey continues cementing global sensation status, with Indonesia at #3 among her top streaming markets. This spring, she announced The Laufey Foundation, supporting young musicians, especially through youth orchestras, with $1 from each A Matter of Time Tour ticket contributing to its mission.
Stream “Lover Girl” here: https://laufey.ffm.to/lovergirlhttps://laufey.ffm.to/lovergirl
Rome is a freelance writer and photographer. He brings a fresh perspective to the indie music scene and highlights emerging artists and underground movements. His writing style is drawn from personal experiences and a deep love for the art form.