To celebrate the one-year anniversary of NME’s The Cover franchise, the magazine takes a behind-the-scenes look at jazz-pop artist Laufey’s photoshoot. Laufey arrived at the studio feeling inspired by Barbie and Taylor Swift, and the glittery backdrop of the shoot led her to reminisce about Swift’s “Bejeweled” and feel like a “musician Barbie.” The artist’s comfort zone was not compromised during the shoot but instead elevated, leading Laufey to embrace her femininity even more as an artist. Being chosen for The Cover was a significant milestone for the artist because she never expected to be on the cover of a magazine.
NME’s Hollie Geraghty conducted the interview and found it to be a delight as Laufey spoke candidly while wearing her heart on her sleeve. Geraghty highlighted Laufey’s success in bridging the gap between old and new music with her masterful piano and cello skills and sharp pop instincts. As Gen-Z has had a tough time in recent years, romanticizing their lives through Laufey’s jazz-pop music “is the perfect soundtrack for” their comfort in simple pleasures.
Photographer Eva Pentel wanted to reflect Laufey’s “old-school classic glamour” and a dreamy, soft image for the shoot to match the musician’s modern take on jazz. The styling, with many classic shapes with contemporary touches, was brilliant, and softer lighting was used to tie everything together. Art director Simon Freeborough wanted a glamorous cover with a hint of old Hollywood jazz clubs, and everything had to glimmer and sparkle to match the dazzling images. He even created his own font with gold foil and glitter discs, reminiscent of ’60s luxury storefronts.
Laufey has since earned her first Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and continues to make mesmerizing music. A Grammy win is on her future radar, and she is grateful for the milestones achieved so far in her career
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