Jazz has been a very well-known genre for decades, with it reaching its peak in popularity in the 1920’s-30s, resonating with many groups of people. Despite how influential this genre is, many popular jazz artists that have paved the way have become a thing of the past. Older generations seem to be the only ones that have taken the most interest in this older style of music, still clinging on to artists from their youth. 

Due to this generational shift in what is and isn’t considered popular, newer generations such as Gen-Z and Millennials’ interest in classic jazz has plummeted. With so many new artists coming to the rise, many have wondered if jazz is truly a dying genre, or if its comeback would be soon. 

At the peak of the pandemic, a very unknown artist at the time would start releasing music. Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir, known as just Laufey to her fans, is an Icelandic singer who shocked the internet with her sound. 

April 6, 2020, Laufey would release her first single titled Street by Street. A little over a year later in April of 2021, she would release her Typical of Me episode, consisting of a total of 7 tracks. She released her first full-length album in October of 2022 titled, Everything I Know About Love. This album was extremely well received by her small, but devoted fanbase. 

She found her success through the help of social media, specifically TikTok, with many of her early fans interested in the unique sound of her music. Laufey’s ability to combine classic elements of jazz and bossa nova music with popular modern genres such as pop, made her music stand out from the get-go. Many enjoyed her relaxing voice, with her impressive vocal range making each song convey a large catalog of emotions that is often not shown in many modern mainstream songs.

An element shown in her music that differs from other modern jazz artists is her use of classical instruments. Many of Laufey’s songs feature orchestras, making her already enchanting voice pop out even more with the help of the impactful background instrumentals. 

She has collaborated with the Philharmonia Orchestra, a performing orchestral group based In London, on multiple occasions. Her live performances almost always include an orchestra pit, adding to the magic of her singing and stage presence. 

Her impact on modern jazz music has reached a large audience of Gen-Z. Her genre-merging has caught the attention of many teenagers and young adults. Some have even gone as far as claiming she has managed to help revive a whole genre. 

While she hasn’t single-handedly brought jazz and bossa nova back into the mainstream of modern music all on her own, she has begun paving the way for many young musicians to follow in her footsteps. 

Many young fans have begun seeking out other jazz musicians, old and new, making her influence on the genre very noticeable with a love for jazz being rekindled in a generation that otherwise had very little interest in it.  

Her most popular tracks were spawned from various trends using clips from her songs, with young users relating to her lovesick lyrics, creating an online space for teens to express themselves. The large range of emotions all her songs touch on give listeners an outlet for their feelings. Her silly and relatable TikTok videos used to promote her music make listeners connect with her on an even deeper level.

Laufey’s most recent album Bewitched became an immediate success, consequently sparking two separate world tours taking place in just a few months, growing her popularity as an upcoming jazz artist. Her involvement in her fanbase has made many young fans not just love her music, but look up to her as a person. 

Laufey’s passion for music shines through her impactful lyrics, and beautifully composed instrumentals, inspiring many musicians old and young. Her unique spin on Jazz music in 2024 is impossible to ignore, with her fanbase growing each day, and her future as a full-time musician seeming very bright. Giving Gen-Z a new-found love for a classic genre that seemed to be forgotten in time.