Holiday Harmony: Laufey’s Balance of Vocals and Instrumentation in A Very Laufey Holiday

Laufey is an Icelandic-Chinese singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist well known for blending jazz, classical, and contemporary pop influences with soft, deep vocals. Her latest EP, A Very Laufey Holiday (2025), features both classic Christmas covers and original holiday songs. It was later expanded with additional tracks added in 2023 and again in November 2025, adding a cover of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” and an original song, “Christmas Magic.” These two tracks stand out for their rich instrumentation, with Laufey’s musical arrangements feeling more striking than the lyrics themselves.

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” serves as the first track of the EP and was originally written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie in 1934. The song has been covered countless times since, but what makes Laufey’s version a standout is her emphasis on creative instrumentation. At the beginning of the song, Laufey builds up to the lyrics by opening with a dramatic cello solo that seamlessly transitions into the lighthearted melody. Soft percussion and strings support Laufey’s smooth vocals while background harmonies contrast her lower timbre with lighter, higher tones.

Like many traditional Christmas songs, the lyrics are highly repetitive and follow the same melody throughout most of the song. Each section resolves by repeating the phrase “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” reinforcing the song’s simple and cyclical structure. Because Laufey did not write the original lyrics, this repetition is a fault of the source material rather than a creative choice on her part.In fact, Laufey recognizes this and breaks the lyrical repetition by introducing a beautiful woodwind solo that strays from the original melody, adding more depth to the song. Despite her rendition implementing more instruments and accompaniment, it doesn’t feel overwhelming at all; each instrument is carefully layered to create a warm, cozy atmosphere.

Laufey’s latest original song, “Christmas Magic,” further showcases her distinctive mid-century jazz style. Subtle bells and deep strings give the song a Christmas feel and highlight Laufey’s intimate vocals. This song does not have much variation in lyrics either, as it consists of only two short verses in the beginning and the exact same chorus repeated twice. This repetition places less emphasis on lyrical development and shifts the listener’s attention towards the song’s instrumentation instead.

The instrumental arrangement drives the track’s emotional arc, with the brass section playing a key role in shaping the song’s structure. Rather than remaining in the background, the brass guides the song’s pacing, beginning softly before gradually increasing in volume and intensity as the chorus approaches. The piano that follows briefly calms the song before the brass returns and builds the energy once again. These changes in intensity give the track movement and keep it from feeling flat due to its repetitive lyrics. 

The newest additions to this EP reveal Laufey’s ability to recognize the limitations of lyrics as an opportunity to showcase her other talents and keep songs engaging for listeners. Unlike earlier covers, like “Santa Baby” and “Christmas Dreaming,” which both highlight her vocals, these two new tracks focus more heavily on instrumentation, with the shifting dynamics and thoughtful arrangements taking center stage. Her inventive use of instruments makes her holiday songs and covers stand out from the rest. As a result, the EP received largely positive reviews, with listeners and critics praising it for the warm atmosphere and distinctive reinterpretation of Christmas classics. With the addition of these two new songs, Laufey has effectively created a well-rounded EP that balances her strengths in both vocals and instrumentation, demonstrating her versatility and musical talent.