Just as I began to slip into a musical rut, September 8 came along. On this day, we were given the extraordinary album that is Laufey’s “Bewitched.” I have been a casual fan of Laufey’s for as many years as she has been doing music, but this new album of hers intrigued me. First, the title grabbed my attention. Then, as I listened, I began to reflect on the words. Now, I consider myself a huge fan of Laufey and her dazzling songwriting abilities. If you ever thought of sitting in a jazz club on a Saturday night, as I have done many times, this album is for you. Mixed with stellar instrumentals and Laufey’s velvety voice, this album is an ode to love.
If you know anything about Laufey (pronounced lāy-vāy), you know that she often writes love songs, especially about the hurt and/or beauty that falling in love can bring. “Bewitched” came just in time for fall. The fall vibes it gives off are immaculate. I don’t think I have ever listened to an album in which I instantly loved every song until this one. Usually, it takes a few listens to get the words to sink in. But I suppose I am such a hopeless romantic, and this album resonated with me so well that I quickly loved it.
There are fourteen masterfully written songs in this album. My two favorites have to be “Second Best” and “Letter to My 13 Year Old Self”. “Second Best” is a song that, like its title, is all about being someone’s second best. This song portrays the feeling you get when you care too much about someone, and they seem not to care or love you as much as you care or love them. With its melancholic melodies and Laufey’s smooth vocals, this song was one of my instant favorites. My favorite line is, “I love way too much, oh, this hurts to confess // Oh, you were my everything // I was your second best.” I love this line because it also applies to friendships. Too often, we put our everything into something only for the other person not to give their all. It can hurt to do that to ourselves, especially if you do that for years. I think Laufey has perfectly portrayed this feeling of one-sided relationships.
As I mentioned, my other favorite song is “Letter to my 13 Year Old Self”. I have to admit, this song made me cry the first time I listened to it. And 13 years old for me was only seven years ago! Yet, just like Laufey, I have so many things I wish I could tell my 13-year-old self. This is a beautiful song of reflection to see how far you have come, especially if you had that awful, awkward time of coming into your teenage years. I feel this song is especially for all the young women now who had a hard time accepting themselves and their beauty either when they were young or even in the present. Laufey has taken all her insecurities and encouraged her younger self by taking what she thought a lot about in the past and promising herself that things got better. Throughout the song, she names things her younger self thought she would never do, including being on stage, loving someone, and accepting her foreign-sounding name and curly hair. My favorite line is, “I wish I could go back and give her a squeeze // Myself at 13 // And just let her know, know that she’s beautiful.” If that line alone doesn’t make you cry, you must listen to the song again!
This album has not only been approved by me, but it has the stamp of approval by the world:
“Bewitched” earned the title of the biggest debut for a jazz album in Spotify history. It’s safe to say that although the 1940s-1950s jazz era has ended, Laufey is successfully helping bring jazz back into the mainstream world, and I couldn’t be happier! This album deserves a listen from anyone, even if you are on the fence about jazz music. If you happen to discover this album because of this article, give it a listen. You will not regret listening to the fantastic music that graces your ears.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.