Album Review: A Matter of Time by Laufey

Released on August 22, 2025, A Matter of Time is the highly anticipated third studio album from Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey. Known for her ability to blend jazz, pop, and timeless storytelling, Laufey once again delivers an album that feels like stepping into a cinematic dreamscape. This record journeys through nostalgia, heartbreak, femininity, self-reflection, and empowerment, guiding listeners along a fairytale-like arc of resilience, vulnerability, and growth. With its mix of showgirl jazz, slow-burning ballads, and biting honesty, A Matter of Time feels both classic and daringly modern.

Clockwork

Clockwork opens the album with lively showgirl jazz, lush instrumentation, and the memorable refrain: “Like clockwork, I fell in love with you.” The song sets the thematic tone for the record, using the metaphor of a perfectly timed romance to explore the inevitability of falling in love and the bittersweet passage of time. Laufey’s vocals dance over vibrant horns and swinging rhythms, immediately drawing listeners into her cinematic world.

Lover Girl

Another glittering, jazz-inspired track, "Lover Girl," strikes a balance between sparkle and melancholy. Playful piano lines and swinging percussion underpin lyrics that explore the joys and pitfalls of being a hopeless romantic. Its central lyric, “Oh, what a curse it is to be a lover girl,” captures Laufey’s sharp self-awareness and her critique of the archetypes women are placed in, reflecting both empowerment and vulnerability.

Snow White

Slowing the pace, this track is one of the most sobering moments of the record. "Snow White" uses sparse piano and strings to create a haunting atmosphere. Lyrics like “A woman’s best currency is her body, not her brain” and “The world is a sick place, at least for a girl” reflect the pressures and insecurities women face. Vulnerable and raw, it’s Laufey at her most reflective, offering a modern fairy tale that questions the roles women are cast in.

Castle in Hollywood

With its nostalgic tone and flashes of early Taylor Swift storytelling, "Castle in Hollywood" feels like a bittersweet daydream. Acoustic guitar and gentle strings evoke the magic and illusion of Hollywood, while Laufey’s lyrics explore the tension between fantasy and reality. The track bridges the fairytale world and the real one, with the shimmer of Hollywood hiding heartbreak beneath, revealing the cost of chasing dreams.

Carousel

This track plays like a wistful holiday memory. With dreamy jazz instrumentation and a nostalgic, almost Christmas-like tone, "Carousel" spins through memories of love and innocence. Laufey’s gentle vocals and delicate melodies create a soft, hazy, and magical atmosphere, inviting listeners to revisit cherished moments from the past.

Silver Lining

Here, Laufey leans into classic nostalgic jazz textures. “Silver Lining” features warm brass and a laid-back groove, creating a soothing and uplifting soundscape. The lyrics gently remind listeners that even in the midst of heartbreak, beauty can be found in reflection and hope.

Too Little, Too Late

“Too Little, Too Late” is a poignant ballad that conveys feelings of missed opportunities and longing. Sparse arrangements, featuring soft piano and subtle strings, allow Laufey’s vocals to take center stage, evoking heartbreak and introspection as she laments what could have been.

Cuckoo Ballet (Interlude)

An enchanting interlude, "Cuckoo Ballet" evokes the sound of a clock chiming in a fairytale. Its delicate, ballet-inspired arrangement, featuring twinkling piano and playful woodwinds, offers a whimsical pause in the journey, serving as a musical bridge between chapters of the album.

Forget-Me-Not

One of the album’s most striking moments, "Forget-Me-Not" sees Laufey singing in her native Icelandic, delivering a slow, angelic ballad that feels like a prayer. Minimalist arrangements, gentle piano, and ethereal harmonies make this track intimate, haunting, and unforgettable, as they connect Laufey’s personal heritage to universal emotions.

Tough Luck

A nostalgic slow pop track, "Tough Luck" builds from gentle verses into a triumphant, anthemic chorus. The arrangement grows in intensity as Laufey’s voice gains strength, culminating in the bold declaration: “Tough luck, my boy, your time is up.” The song channels heartbreak into empowerment, celebrating newfound independence.

A Cautionary Tale

With powerful vocals and a mid-tempo swing, "A Cautionary Tale" explores the pressures of performing for others’ approval. Laufey’s lyrics, “I wanted to please you, this performance of a lifetime,” highlight the struggle between external expectations and personal authenticity. The track’s jazzy instrumental flourishes add drama, making it both a critique of expectations and a declaration of self.

Mr. Eclectic

Fast, witty, and biting, "Mr. Eclectic" is a showgirl pop track bursting with playful energy. Laufey’s sharp lyrics, "Bet you think you’re so poetic, quoting epics and ancient prose,” and syncopated rhythms showcase her humor, edge, and command of wordplay. The song’s brisk tempo and lively instrumentation make it one of the album’s most memorable.

Clean Air

Mixing nostalgic jazz with hints of country twang, "Clean Air" feels fresh and defiant. Driven by acoustic guitar, brushed drums, and Laufey’s unfiltered delivery, the song’s lines“Get the fuck out of my atmosphere, I’m breathing clean, clean air” show her at her most unapologetic, embracing personal freedom and self-respect.

Sabotage

The closing track, "Sabotage," is a slow burn that explodes into a dramatic finale. Vulnerable lines like “I’m my worst enemy” build tension, while swelling guitars and driving percussion lead to a bold ending that feels like the curtain call of a grand stage show. The soft rock finale ensures A Matter of Time ends on both a haunting and empowering note, leaving listeners with a sense of catharsis and hope.

A Matter of Time is a fairytale told through jazz clubs, heartaches, and self-discovery. Laufey weaves critiques of femininity and societal pressures into lush, nostalgic arrangements for the modern romantic. Whether you are here for the showgirl sparkle, the soft ballads, or the biting honesty, this album proves Laufey has carved out her own genre: jazz-pop fairytales for a generation craving authenticity.