Words by Kacie Bautista
Although she is best known for sparking the revival of jazz in pop music, Chinese-Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey surprises fans with her newest single, “Tough Luck,” as it takes on a new pop-rock production. Lyrically, the song is bold and unapologetic — something we don’t often get from the musician — and the anticipation only grows from what we can expect in her upcoming album, A Matter of Time.
The single starts off with gentle strings and a piano accompaniment — an homage to her classical roots — then builds into an upbeat melody with the introduction of drums and a rhythmic guitar. As the song progresses, it crescendos with added layers of string instruments, creating a fuller, livelier sound. Nearing the end, the melodies become haphazard and fast-paced while Laufey sings with fervor. She pours her emotion in the song with lyrics like “I should congratulate thee for so nearly convincing me, I’m not quite as smart as I seem, that I’m a loud-mouthed nobody” and “The proof says you’re tragic as fuck / The truth is that’s just tough tough luck.” Throughout the song, Laufey reveals how her ex had treated her, saying that they “demoralized” and “effaced” her “just to feed [their] frail ego.” In previous songs like “Goddess,” Laufey takes a similar approach in her songwriting, though unlike “Tough Luck,” the trajectory of the song was more melancholy and sentimental — reflecting mournfully on a past love. However, this song showcases her resentment and anger. In a comment from Variety, Laufey says, “I wanted to reveal an angrier side of myself — a side that this unfortunate relationship brought out in me.” She continues, “For this album, I just wanted to let my heart wander. People expect a pretty façade of girly clothes, fantastical stories and romantic music. This time, I was interested in seeing how I could draw out the most flawed parts of myself and look at them directly in the mirror.”
Laufey’s upcoming album will release on August 22, 2025, and it has been announced that producer Aaron Dessner, renowned for working with Taylor Swift, collaborated with the singer. We can’t wait to see what musical shift Laufey will take in this new project as she chooses to let her music speak her truest sides of herself.
Loudspeaker Collective 