Everything I Know About Love is the debut studio album by the Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey, released on 26 August 2022 through AWAL.[1] The deluxe version was released on 14 October 2022.[2]
Laufey described Everything I Know About Love as a "hopelessly romantic" album of personal growth. She said the songs were based on her experiences, but were written as if they were fiction, and that she tries to create magic out of difficult or bleak moments.[3]
Background and release
Laufey released the first single, "Valentine", on Valentine's Day, 14 February 2022.[4] The second single, "Everything I Know About Love", was released on 21 April, alongside a music video.[5] On 1 June, Laufey announced the album's release date and released its third single, "Fragile", whose music video premiered on 17 June.[3] She released the fourth single, "Dear Soulmate", on 6 July.[6] The fifth single, "Falling Behind", was released on 11 August.[7]
On 22 September 2022, Laufey released the EP The Reykjavík Sessions, containing live acoustic versions of songs from the album.[8] On 22 April 2023, a 12-inch vinyl containing a studio and live performance at Harpa Concert Hall version of "Valentine" was released as part of Record Store Day.[9][10]
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Everything I Know About Love received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 82 out of 100 from 4 critic scores.[15]
Megan Walder of Clash praised the instrumentation, writing: "Every track demonstrates a beauty in the everyday; in the mundane; in our reality. And combining such observations with the sweeping sounds of orchestral talent and acoustic guitar, the end result, of the combination of these juxtaposing complex and simple elements, is one that feels familiar."[12] Writing for AllMusic, Neil Yeung described the album as "a coming-of-age snapshot from an artist in her early twenties, the effort brims with the hopeless romanticism and possibilities of young love and new experiences".[11]
Cordelia Lam of NME praised Laufey's vocals, stating: "What stands out most here is Laufey’s vocal register – her voice is deep and full-bodied, providing a perfect vehicle for the open-hearted sincerity of these songs. She sings with the warm storytelling tone of the jazz greats."[14]The Line of Best Fit's Laura Freyaldenhoven wrote: "Listening to Jónsdóttir’s soulful vocals surrounded by gorgeously sweeping orchestral arrangements, it’s hard not to think of old Hollywood and 1950s Disney. There is something undeniably comforting to a sound that blends old and new – A safe space to dream and wander along the golden rays of intricate harmonies into a grand cinematic ballroom."[13]
