Born in Iceland and raised in the United States, Laufey (whose full name is Laufey Stefánsdóttir) grew up surrounded by a rich musical heritage. Her mother, a jazz singer, and her father, a bassist, exposed her to a wide range of musical styles from an early age. Laufey's early influences include jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, as well as pop icons like Björk and Kate Bush. This eclectic upbringing would later shape the distinctive sound that Laufey is known for today.
Laufey's music defies easy categorization, effortlessly blending elements of jazz, pop, electronic, and R&B to create a captivating sound that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Her songs often feature: laufey music style
Central to her identity is the revival of the "Traditional Pop" and "Bossa Nova" genres for a new generation. Her music is frequently described as "modern jazz," though she often pushes back against strict genre labels. She draws heavy inspiration from legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Chet Baker. You can hear this influence in her vocal delivery—a rich, velvety alto that favors nuance and breath control over vocal gymnastics. She avoids the aggressive belting common in modern pop, opting instead for a conversational, intimate style that makes the listener feel as though she is whispering a secret. Born in Iceland and raised in the United