Laufey is a once-in-a-generation artist who has crafted her own distinctive sound, seamlessly weaving together classical sophistication, jazz intimacy, and contemporary pop sensibility. Her music transcends traditional genre boundaries, creating something that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern. For those discovering her music for the first time, Laufey’s work possesses a rare quality: the ability to evoke a full spectrum of emotions within a single song. Here are 12 tracks that serve as the perfect introduction to Laufey’s world.
1. Let You Break My Heart Again
“Let You Break My Heart Again” is a beautiful exploration of unrequited love. Laufey’s raw, vulnerable lyrics lay bare the painful cycle of hoping against hope, while the orchestral arrangement mirrors the emotional turbulence perfectly, swelling and receding like waves of longing that threaten to pull you under. It’s a masterclass in how instrumentation can amplify the weight of unspoken feelings.
2. Letter To My 13 Year Old Self
This song speaks directly to the dreamers and make-believers who still carry their younger selves close to their hearts. Its lyrics unfold as a tender reassurance to Laufey’s 13-year-old self that everything will work out in the end, and there is something truly poetic about that.
3. Forget-Me-Not
“Forget-Me-Not” is a love letter to Laufey’s homeland, Iceland. In it, she explores her fears of straying away from her roots while pursuing her career, her enduring love for the country, and the promise that she will never forget where she came from—while hoping they won’t forget her either. She sings in Icelandic, which ties the whole song together in a beautifully heartwarming way.
4. From The Start
“From the Start” is the single that launched Laufey into the stratosphere. With its jazzy, upbeat arrangement providing an ironic contrast to lyrics about an “unrequited, terrifying love”, the track captures the disorienting feeling of falling for someone who doesn’t know you exist. There’s something refreshingly honest about pairing such vulnerable confessions with a melody you can’t help but sway to. Given the song has over 1.2 billion Spotify streams, the world clearly agrees.
5. Lover Girl
“Lover Girl” is quintessentially Laufey, driven by a bossa nova groove layered with jazz extensions. It is the type of song that makes you want to get up and dance — for good reason. What makes the track stand out is its strategic use of crisp, rhythmic handclaps, purposefully incorporated to invite audiences to clap along and engage during her live performances.
6. Promise
“Promise” captures the raw aftermath of heartbreak. In particular, it illustrates the struggle of being unable to let go and how the smallest moments can suddenly remind you of the person who’s no longer there. You may also recognise this song from Alysa Liu’s viral short program at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
7. Valentine
This track explores the vulnerability of falling in love with someone, especially when it catches you off guard. The song’s mood perfectly mirrors that uncertainty, but it ultimately resolves on a hopeful note, with the acceptance that you’re in love and have found your valentine.
8. Snow White
In a previous interview, Laufey revealed that this is her favourite track from her latest Grammy-winning album, A Matter of Time. The song confronts the impossible standards women face, with melancholy instrumentation that underscores its poignant commentary on societal expectations.
9. Beautiful Stranger
Laufey’s music is made for hopeless romantics, and this song captures the fleeting fantasy of seeing a beautiful stranger on the metro. It’s about imagining an entire life with someone you’ve shared nothing more than a passing glance with. This track perfectly exemplifies Laufey’s ability to transform everyday moments into something magical through song.
10. California and Me
“California and Me” is another extraordinary piece rooted in classical musical elements. The track features a full philharmonic orchestra, creating a rich, expansive sound. Laufey mentioned in her interview with Vogue Hong Kong that she would recommend listening to this song on a ferry ride. So the next time you take the Star Ferry, play this track and see what feelings surface.
11. Madwoman
Laufey’s most recent release pulses with the syncopated rhythms characteristic of bossa nova. The music video pays homage to the era with 1960s-inspired wardrobes and features an impressive lineup of Wasian celebrities: Hudson Williams (HBO’s Heated Rivalry), Lola Tung (Amazon Prime’s The Summer I Turned Pretty), Megan Skiendiel (Katseye), and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu. Fair warning: this track is dangerously catchy, so don’t be surprised when you catch yourself humming it hours later.
12. Fragile
“Fragile” explores Laufey’s experience with love and heartbreak after growing up “in a case of fragile glass.” It captures how the prospect of opening yourself up to someone can feel daunting, yet ultimately encourages you to take that leap, even when it feels risky.
