Laufey's track "Second Best" cuts straight to the raw agony of emotional asymmetry, detailing a dynamic where one person gives everything to a partner who remains half-invested. Released as part of her sophomore studio album Bewitched, the song marries classic jazz vocal phrasing with intimate modern lyricism. Beyond the heartbreak narrative, the track serves as a window into a distinct cross-cultural artistic identity shaped as much by classic Hollywood standards as by her Icelandic upbringing.
Understanding the DNA of this track requires looking past standard pop interpretations. Icelandic musical storytelling relies heavily on stark emotional honesty, spatial minimalism, and a strong sense of folklore-driven narrative tradition. When Laufey translates these sensibilities into contemporary jazz-pop, she creates a template that distinguishes her from mainstream contemporaries.
Dissecting the Lyrics of Second Best
The emotional core of "Second Best" rests on the painful realization of unequal affection. Lines like "I loved you so much that I settled for less" capture the cognitive dissonance of staying in a relationship built on compromise. Laufey doesn't paint her partner as an outright villain; instead, she exposes her own vulnerability, admitting how she ignored obvious warning signs because she wanted the romance to work.
The imagery throughout the verses heightens this sense of isolation. When she sings about watching a partner dream at night while a "nightingale sings half-hearted lullabies," the metaphor highlights a profound disconnect. Physical proximity does not equal emotional presence. Even during intimate moments, such as a midsummer dance where the partner's mind drifts toward the past, the narrator remains an afterthought.
The bridge introduces a common post-breakup contradiction:
- Recognizing that the ex gave nothing worth missing.
- Acknowledging that daily life has objectively improved since the split.
- Still harboring an internal pull, questioning if a second chance might materialize.
This refusal to tie up heartbreak with a neat bow is what makes the writing resonate. Healing isn't linear, and Laufey captures the messy reality of wanting to move forward while still tripping over old memories.
The Influence of Icelandic Songwriting Traditions
While Laufey is frequently categorized as a modern jazz artist based out of Los Angeles and Reykjavik, her compositional style carries structural hallmarks deeply rooted in Icelandic music culture. Iceland has a long history of narrative-driven folk songs—known as rímur—where vocal delivery takes precedence over heavy production.
Icelandic songwriting often prioritizes a melancholic, atmospheric clarity. Rather than hiding behind distorted walls of sound or hyper-compressed beats, songs from this tradition leave room for silence and acoustic resonance. In "Second Best," the sparse arrangement during the verses mirrors this northern aesthetic. The piano and guitar beds provide a cold, spacious background that allows the vocal delivery to carry the heavy emotional weight.
This cultural backdrop also informs Laufey's lack of cynicism. Nordic folk traditions frequently embrace themes of longing, seasonal shifts, and deep-seated introspection without sliding into bitter irony. When Laufey sings about making mistakes in love and waiting until next year to finally change her habits, she taps into a folkloric acceptance of human flaw.
Vocal Delivery and Jazz Fusion Elements
Laufey's training at the Berklee College of Music heavily influences her chord choices, but her vocal execution maintains an understated purity. On "Second Best," she avoids unnecessary vocal gymnastics. Instead, she utilizes a warm, conversational alto that mimics confessional poetry.
The interplay between jazz harmony and traditional singer-songwriter structures creates a unique tension:
- Sophisticated Chord Progressions: The underlying jazz changes add a bittersweet complexity to what might otherwise sound like a standard acoustic heartbreak ballad.
- Direct Lyricism: The words remain conversational and unpretentious, avoiding archaic poetic tropes in favor of how modern people actually speak about heartbreak.
- Dynamic Restraint: The arrangement builds gradually, mirroring the slow accumulation of resentment before breaking into the emotional release of the chorus.
For more background on her artistic journey and classical foundation, you can explore profiles on Pitchfork or read official artist updates via Billboard.
Common Misconceptions About the Track
Listeners often misinterpret songs about unrequited or asymmetrical love as passive victimhood. However, "Second Best" highlights active self-awareness. Laufey acknowledges her role in accepting sub-par treatment, singing that she "never listens" to external warnings.
Another frequent oversight is ignoring the passage of time embedded in the lyrics. The mention of waiting until "next year" or walking further into life indicates an understanding that grief and self-worth take time to rebuild. It is not an overnight fix, but a slow realization that being alone is infinitely better than being someone's backup plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Laufey to write Second Best?
The track was initially conceptualized and shaped with input from fans during interactive sessions online, aligning with Laufey's interactive approach to engaging her community during the creation of the Bewitched album.
How does Second Best fit into the overall theme of Bewitched?
While much of Bewitched focuses on the magical, head-over-heels beginning stages of romance, "Second Best" explores the sobering reality of disillusionment and the pain of incompatible affection.
Is Laufey's music considered traditional jazz?
No. While she incorporates jazz chord structures, orchestral arrangements, and standards-era instrumentation, her primary output functions as contemporary pop-jazz or modern traditional pop, appealing heavily to younger generations discovering acoustic instrumentation.
Where can I learn more about contemporary Icelandic music exports?
To dive deeper into how Icelandic artists blend traditional folk storytelling with modern genres, check out resources provided by Music Export Iceland.
