Described are systems, methods, and media for magnetic recording assisted by the use of ultrafast pulses such as ultrafast laser pulses. A layered magnetic medium includes a thin, magnetically softer capping layer disposed over a magnetically harder data recording layer. The capping layer is configured to have fast magnetization dynamics, and to have faster magnetization dynamics than the data recording layer. Due to the fast magnetization dynamics of the capping layer, ultrafast pulses can be used to assist a magnetic write field in magnetizing the capping layer without inducing any significant heating in the bulk of the media. The magnetization of the capping layer nucleates magnetization in the data recording layer under the influence of the magnetic write field.