TL;DR
If your teen has traded their heavy bass and "mumble rap" for what sounds like a 1940s jazz club, don't panic—they haven't been possessed by the ghost of Ella Fitzgerald. They’ve just discovered Laufey (pronounced "Lay-vay"). She is a 25-year-old Icelandic-Chinese multi-instrumentalist who is single-handedly making jazz and classical music the "it" genre for Gen Z. It’s melodic, deeply emotional, and—best of all for parents—virtually "brain rot" free.
Quick Links:
- Laufey on YouTube
- Laufey on Spotify
- TikTok (where her "Lauver" community lives)
- Pinterest (for the "Laufeycore" aesthetic)
Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir is a Grammy-winning artist who describes her music as "modern jazz." Think of her as the bridge between Taylor Swift and Billie Holiday. She grew up playing the cello and piano, went to Berklee College of Music, and then did something impossible: she made 15-year-olds care about the Great American Songbook.
Her sound is defined by lush orchestral arrangements, scat singing, and lyrics about the relatable, sometimes awkward experience of being a "hopeless romantic" in a digital world. She isn't just a singer; she’s a classically trained musician who often performs with major symphonies, bringing a "nerdy-chic" vibe to the main stage.
Ask our chatbot about other "clean" pop alternatives
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, you know that Gen Z is obsessed with aesthetics. From "cottagecore" to "coquette," kids are looking for a vibe to inhabit. Laufey provides the perfect soundtrack for the "Main Character" who likes to read in cafes, wear bows in their hair, and romanticize their life.
The "Nostalgic Jazz" Vibe
Kids today are under a massive amount of digital pressure. Laufey’s music feels like an escape. It’s slow, it’s acoustic, and it feels "old" in a way that’s comforting rather than dated. It’s the opposite of the chaotic, "Ohio" energy of Skibidi Toilet or the high-octane stress of a Fortnite lobby. It’s "cozy" music.
Relatability
While many pop stars sing about clubbing or complex adult relationships, Laufey sings about things like:
- Being too shy to talk to a crush.
- Feeling like you’re falling in love too fast.
- The "letter to my younger self" trope.
- The general clumsiness of being a teenager.
It’s high-brow music with low-stakes, relatable drama.
Laufey has fostered a community called the "Lauvers." This isn't your typical aggressive fandom. It’s largely built on Instagram and TikTok, and it revolves around a few key pillars:
Laufey actually started a book club where she recommends classic and contemporary literature to her fans. This has led to a surge in kids reading titles like Normal People or classic poetry, then discussing them on Goodreads. As a parent, seeing your kid pick up a book because a pop star told them to is a massive win.
Bows and "Coquette" Aesthetic
If you’ve noticed an influx of ribbons and lace in your house, that’s "Laufeycore." It’s a visual style that leans into traditional femininity, vintage fashion, and a sort of academic elegance. It’s a far cry from the "VSCO girl" or "E-girl" trends of years past. It’s polished, artistic, and generally very wholesome.
Check out our guide on Gen Z aesthetics and what they mean
If you want to connect with your teen, or just understand what’s coming out of their bedroom speakers, here are the essential tracks and albums:
This is the album that won her a Grammy. It’s the gold standard for her sound. Tracks like "From The Start" went viral on YouTube because of their catchy, bossa-nova beat and lyrics about unrequited love.
Her debut album is a bit more whimsical. It’s perfect for fans of movies like La La Land. It’s cinematic and feels like a movie score.
This is a live recording with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. If you want to show your kid that "classical" music isn't boring, this is the gateway drug. It shows the technical skill required to play this kind of music, which might even inspire them to practice their own instrument.
Recommended Ages: 10+
Laufey is one of the "safest" artists currently trending.
- Lyrics: Almost entirely clean. She rarely uses profanity, and when she does, it’s mild. There are no "explicit" tags on the vast majority of her discography.
- Themes: Romance, heartbreak, self-reflection, and growing up. There’s no glorification of drugs, violence, or hyper-sexualized content.
- Community: The "Lauvers" are generally supportive and academic. The focus is on music theory, literature, and fashion.
Safety Considerations
The main "risk" with Laufey isn't the music itself—it's the platforms where the community lives.
- TikTok & Instagram: While the content is wholesome, the algorithms are still designed to keep kids scrolling. A "Laufey aesthetic" rabbit hole can still lead to hours of screen time.
- Parasocial Relationships: Like any "stan" culture, kids can become overly invested in Laufey’s personal life. However, she maintains a relatively professional and private persona compared to many influencers.
Learn more about managing TikTok screen time
Is it "Real" Jazz?
Purists might argue that Laufey is "Jazz-Pop" rather than "Traditional Jazz." Don't get bogged down in the semantics. What matters is that she is introducing kids to the structure of jazz—the 7th chords, the syncopation, and the instrumentation. If your kid likes Laufey, they are one step away from enjoying Miles Davis or Chet Baker.
The "Sad Girl" Trope
Laufey’s music can be melancholy. Gen Z loves "sad music" (think Olivia Rodrigo or Phoebe Bridgers). While Laufey’s sadness is usually of the "wistful romantic" variety, it’s always worth checking in with your teen to see if they’re just enjoying the vibe or if they’re actually feeling down. Usually, with Laufey, it’s just about the "aesthetic" of being a bit dramatic.
Entrepreneurship or "Draining the Bank"?
Unlike Roblox, where kids are constantly pressured to buy "Robux" for digital items, the Laufey fandom is more about physical goods. Records (vinyl is HUGE with this crowd), concert tickets, and "merch" like bows and cardigans. It’s a traditional consumer model, but concert tickets for her shows are notoriously hard to get and expensive on the resale market.
If you want to start a conversation that doesn't result in an immediate eye-roll, try these openers:
- "I heard a song that sounded like old-school jazz today—was that Laufey? I actually really liked the cello part."
- "I saw she has a book club. Have you read any of the books she’s recommended lately?"
- "What is it about her music that you like? It feels a lot more relaxing than most of the stuff on the radio."
Laufey is a parent’s dream "obsession." She’s talented, educated, clean, and encourages her fans to read books and learn instruments. In a digital landscape filled with "brain rot" and toxic influencers, Laufey is a breath of fresh, sophisticated air. If your teen is into her, lean into it. Buy the vinyl, go to the symphony, and maybe even join her book club.
It’s not just a phase; it’s a sign that your kid might actually have great taste.
- Listen together: Put on the Bewitched album during a car ride. It’s one of the few things you’ll both actually enjoy.
- Check the Book Club: See if any of her recommended books are at your local library.
- Explore the Genre: If they love Laufey, introduce them to Norah Jones or Ella Fitzgerald.