At the core of Duncan Laurence’s music is a flicker of hope. While the Dutch singer/songwriter
frequently lays his soul bare, tackling issues such as heartbreak, loss, and loneliness, there’s always a
silver lining. That’s particularly true of his new single, “Electric Life,” which looks at grief as a
transformative experience. This new era, which includes his stunning sophomore LP, is part of a long,
thoughtful quest for healing that began in childhood. Laurence’s parents divorced when he was young,
and his grandparents’ home—where his grandmother often sang to him when he was anxious—was a
haven. Music became even more important to Laurence when he was bullied at school, but he found
salvation when a physical therapist suggested he take piano lessons to treat a motor disorder. Soon he
realized he’d found his purpose—to sing, to perform, to be vulnerable for the whole world to see. After
he finished school, he polished up “Arcade,” a song that would change his life. The ballad went on to win
Eurovision and amass more than 10 billion global streams. In the US, it became the first song from the
competition to chart in 25 years when it reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. While Laurence’s
debut was focused on the past, his new music is about “the here and now.” The ultimate goal for
“Electric Life” is to promote healing. “I want people to find comfort when they listen to it,” he says. After
all, out of pain comes new beginnings, and new beginnings give us hope.