My Favorite Laufey Love Songs

You may have heard “From the Start,” “Falling Behind,” or “Promise,” but have you heard of the artist behind these songs? Laufey, the voice behind these songs, is an Icelandic-Chinese singer/songwriter and my favorite musical artist. I’ve been a big Laufey fan (affectionately dubbed Lauvers) since the beginning of 2022, when she was still a small-time artist, and I’ve watched as she’s grown exponentially over the past four years. Many of Laufey’s songs are about love, and as Valentine’s Day approaches, there is no better singer to listen to for slow ballads and quiet heartbreaks. Here are my favorite Laufey love songs for you to listen to this Valentine’s Day!

First up is “Lucky for Me,” a song from the deluxe edition of her debut album, Everything I Know About Love. EIKAL is probably my favorite LP of her’s and I especially love the songs she added on the deluxe version. “Lucky for Me” explores the unexpected and exciting nature of love, drawing inspiration from her own personal experiences and classical jazz to create a more upbeat narrative. 

Second up is another song from EIKAL, titled “What Love Will Do to You,” a song about the crazy feeling of falling in love. “What Love Will Do to You” blends warm jazz, string arrangements, and being drunk on jazz and wine to create a timeless piece about intense feelings. 

Next is “Clockwork” from her most recent album, A Matter of Time. A Matter of Time is a more experimental and personal album, blending styles Laufey had always wanted to work with into something new. “Clockwork” is about how exciting yet nerve-racking it can be to fall in love with someone, especially when that someone is a friend. She explores this vulnerability more humorously, singing, “He just called me, said he’s runnin’ late/Like me, he probably had to regurgitate.” It’s such a cute song, especially seen live. 

After that is “Lovesick” from her sophomore album Bewitched, an album which won her a Grammy! “Lovesick” is in my top ten Laufey songs, not just because of its jazzy-pop sound, but also because of its theme of vulnerability. Vulnerability is a recurring theme throughout Laufey’s music, but it’s especially front and center in this song about unrequited love. “Lovesick” covers the emotional complexities and vulnerabilities that come with longing and unrequited love. It’s easily one of her best.

Another honorable mention from Bewitched is “While You Were Sleeping,” a song that encompasses her signature style. ‘While You Were Sleeping” is about the unexpected moment someone falls in love, maybe even late at night, and is spellbound and captivated by this new love. This song follows that dreamy feeling, as she sings, “I don’t recognize myself/I’m dancing down streets/Smiling to strangers/Idiotic things…”

Last up is “Like the Movies,” one of her more popular jazz-infused songs from her debut EP, Typical of Me. “Like the Movies” is a song about wanting a cinematic romance, a love like the movies, contrasting with the reality of messy love and longing. “Like the Movies” and the other six songs on Typical of Me all have that classic jazz style that’s true to Laufey, making this song almost feel like a rom-com.

This Valentine’s Day, if you’re in the mood for a slow dance, a calm moment of jazzy-pop, or just want to find someone new (“Someone New” reference), Laufey is the artist to go to. With her timeless style and unique sound, maybe you’ll just happen to fall in love with her music. Have a very Laufey Valentine’s!

Dance with you tonight

What love will do to you

Must be love

Like the movies

Lovesick

While you were sleeping

Bewitched

Valentine

I wish you love

Dance with me

Lucky for me

clockwork