Since her debut EP in 2021 Laufey’s silky jazz and soft pop has been a story of hope, heartache, and helplessly falling in love with Prince Charming. But her new album “A Matter of Time” dares to tell the reality of when the clock strikes midnight. 

“The whole album to me is just that moment when Cinderella finds out it’s struck midnight and she’s running,” Laufey told Rolling Stone. “The heartbeat that she has, that’s the album.” 

The 14-track album begins with jazzy vocals creating the illusion of a clock ticking in “Clockwork” : “And nothing brings me fear like meeting with my destiny / But like clockwork, think he fell in love with me.” 

These lyrics in the chorus of “Clockwork” encapsulate the anxiety and excitement of having no control, a theme that runs through the whole album. 

Laufey told the Associated Press that her album would showcase raw emotion and honesty with new variety in her musical approach. “It’s a matter of time until you find out everything about me,” she said.

The clock strikes midnight and Laufey exposes her heart with every beat of bossanova and swell of orchestral music, running with new bravery just like Cinderella — but in her case, the clock striking midnight is when the magic begins. 

Most of the album, especially “Snow White,” “Castle in Hollywood,” and “Carousel” have fairytale motifs accompanied by a dreamy or whimsical orchestra. Laufey’s voice is enchanting as she draws the listener in, only to break their hearts with her lyrics of uncertainty and loss. 

“Snow White” expresses the insecurity of not being the version of herself seen on posters and vinyls: “Sometimes I see her, she looks like Snow White/ She’s everything I am, but my wrongs arе turned to rights.” “Castle in Hollywood,” although upbeat in sound, is a heartbreaking story of losing a friend: “It’s a heartbreak/ Marked the end of our girlhood/ We’ll never go back to our castle in Hollywood.” Neither song has a fairytale ending. 

“Sabotage” is far from a fairytale being lyrically threatening, saying “It’s a matter of time ‘til you see the dagger,” but even more of a shock is that it’s musically bold, haunting, and disorienting, unlike her usual soft melody. 

The bonus track “Seems Like Old Times” showcases Laufey’s familiar jazz that has made her stand out in a sea of female pop artists. Listening to this song feels like time travelling to the 1920s, sitting in a room flooded with the sound of piano and drums. Laufey brings her newest album to an end reminiscing on old times, thinking of rewinding the clock. 

“A Matter of Time” showcases Laufey’s musical genius to express both dream and reality.