Laufey, the GRAMMY-winning Icelandic-Chinese artist, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, released her highly anticipated album, A Matter of Time, through Vingolf Recordings / AWAL, delivering a raw and deeply personal masterpiece that strips away the polished elegance she’s known for. Featuring the focus track “Mr. Eclectic,” with backing vocals from Clairo, this album dives into the messy, complicated, and profoundly human aspects of love and self-discovery, showcasing Laufey at her most vulnerable. Available for streaming worldwide, the project is paired with the third annual “A Very Laufey Day” on August 24, a global fan activation spanning over 75 cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Taipei, where fans can engage in curated experiences like “Laufeycore” thrift store racks, “A Matcha of Time” café drinks, exclusive frozen yogurt and gelato flavors, and Laufey Book Club selections at local bookstores. The day will culminate in a TikTok LIVE performance streamed from Los Angeles, with details available at AVeryLaufeyDay.com, celebrating her ability to build community through art.
Born between Reykjavik and Washington, D.C., Laufey’s musical journey began with childhood piano and cello lessons, later refined at Berklee College of Music. Her 2021 debut EP, Typical of Me, featured the chart-topping single “Street by Street,” which hit No. 1 on Icelandic Radio, launching a career that now boasts 5 billion global streams, a 25-million-strong social media following, and a GRAMMY for her 2023 album Bewitched, the biggest jazz LP debut in Spotify history and a Billboard Top 20 entry. Drawing from influences like Chet Baker, Carole King, and Ravel, Laufey’s jazz- and classical-infused pop bridges generations, creating what she calls “Laufey Land”—a whimsical universe that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Her sold-out performances at venues like the Hollywood Bowl, Radio City Music Hall, and London’s Royal Albert Hall, alongside collaborations with artists like Jon Batiste, Raye, Beabadoobee, and Norah Jones, have solidified her as a global sensation.
A Matter of Time features 14 tracks—“Clockwork,” “Lover Girl,” “Snow White,” “Castle in Hollywood,” “Carousel,” “Silver Lining,” “Too Little, Too Late,” “Cuckoo Ballet (Interlude),” “Forget-Me-Not,” “Tough Luck,” “A Cautionary Tale,” “Mr. Eclectic,” “Clean Air,” and “Sabotage”—each a story woven with sweeping orchestral arrangements, bossa nova rhythms, and Laufey’s honeyed alto. Co-produced by Spencer Stewart, a collaborator from her first two albums, and Aaron Dessner, known for his work with Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, the album breaks free from rigid genre rules while honoring her jazz and classical roots. “I’m constantly thinking about classical and jazz, how to properly preserve them and pay homage,” Laufey says, “but I just wanted to let my heart wander.” Challenging the expectation of a “pretty façade of girly clothes, fantastical stories, and romantic music,” she confronts her flaws head-on, exploring love’s many forms—its joys, anxieties, and vulnerabilities—with a daring yet playful spirit.
The focus track, “Mr. Eclectic,” accompanied by a lyric video with chords, blends intimacy and innovation, with Clairo’s backing vocals adding warmth. Following 2022’s Everything I Know About Love, which captured coming-of-age tales of leaving home, and Bewitched, a deep dive into young love, A Matter of Time feels like a blank book of stories, as Laufey puts it, where she pours her life experiences into heavier, more introspective themes. Her music has earned her a Forbes 30 Under 30 designation, a TIME 2025 Women of the Year nod, and multiple Platinum plaques. Beyond her artistry, Laufey’s commitment to nurturing talent shines through The Laufey Foundation, launched this year to support young musicians, particularly via youth orchestras, with $1 from each A Matter of Time Tour ticket supporting the cause.
Laufey’s connection to Asia remains strong, with sold-out shows last year in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, and Taipei, and top streaming markets including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. “A Very Laufey Day” deepens this bond, inviting fans to immerse themselves in her aesthetic through local partnerships. Her performances, backed by orchestras like the LA Phil, National Symphony Orchestra, and China Philharmonic Orchestra, showcase a magnetic stage presence that brings her music’s emotional depth to life. With A Matter of Time, Laufey redefines modern artistry, blending virtuosic musicianship with raw honesty, inviting listeners into a world where vulnerability is strength, and every note celebrates the beauty of imperfection, making her a singular voice for a new generation.
With a lifelong passion for storytelling and a particular focus on the diverse cultures of Asia and the ASEAN region, Monica delves beyond the surface of films and music. She seeks out the productions that spark conversations, challenge perspectives, and offer profound insights into the human condition. She’ll guide you through the societal commentaries and the sheer brilliance of performances that make the Asian and ASEAN landscape so compelling.