Back in Philadelphia, 2023, a parade of girls with hair bows gathered throughout the city with their reluctant boyfriends to watch a phenomenal show. Laufey, an Icelandic artist known for her soulful, jazz-inspired music, was performing her album Bewitched at the Metropolitan Opera House. Entering the event and smiling ear to ear, many left the concert in tears, moved by her music.
Fast forward to this year, 2025, August 22nd, fans excitedly tuned into the artist’s newly released album, A Matter of Time. After Bewitched and its global popularity, fans eagerly awaited her new catalogue. Laufey took to TikTok to advertise, teasing different songs and poking fun at her followers. For example, she posted a video saying, “Guys remember to listen to “Sabotage” on full volume with headphones on.”
“Sabotage,” like many songs on this album, was very experimental sonically. While songs like “Clockwork” were playful in this regard, containing experimental clock noises in the song’s introduction, “Sabotage” featured loud grinding and crashing noises to startle the listener. Who knew Laufey was such a prankster?
Though that song was the only jump scare in the album, it was not the only surprise. “Tough Luck,” for instance, had elements of a pop-rock sound in some moments, diverting from her usual jazz-inspired style. These experimental additions have been met with very mixed reviews.
Opinions on the nature of this album vary vastly. Many complained specifically about “Clean Air,” a song inspired by 90s country. Listeners claimed it “sounded AI-generated,” and there were some general complaints made about the diversion from jazz and its experimental nature.
Overall, the nature of this album has been taken positively by her audience. Many are very pleased with both the new styles in this album and the soulful nature she has maintained from album to album. Senior Gavin English (’26), for instance, puts it well, saying, “It was probably her best album yet. I love being sad while listening to it!”
It seems likely that the women of Philadelphia will gather again–this time in 2025–to cry to Laufey’s music when she tours in the fall.
