On August 23rd, 2024, Dream-pop artist Luna Li is back with her sophomore album titled When A Thought Grows Wings.
Luna Li is the stage name of Korean-Canadian multi-instrumentalist Hannah Bussiere Kim. She made it big during the pandemic playing songs from her bedroom, which led to her 2022 debut album Duality. Now, Li returns with When a Thought Grows Wings.
The album kicks off with “Confusion Song,” which is instantly recognizable as Li’s distinct style. An instrumental loop of a mini-harp provides the foundation for the song’s backing track. Li’s talents include violin, guitar, bass, drums, mini-harp, and flute, all of which are featured regularly in her work. These instruments provide a low-key vibe that contrasts with the more serious and thoughtful lyrics.
The overall album has a dreamy, nostalgic feel. Li reminisces on past relationships and future love: what she regrets and what she would do differently. Li longs for “just a little bit more of your love,” on “Golden Hour,” a song with dual vocal lines during the chorus that harmonize just perfectly to capture that feeling of longing. Recently, Luna/Hannah left an eight-year relationship and moved from Toronto to LA, entering a transitional period. The division between artist and persona isn’t completely clear as Li states explicitly in the song “Fantasy.” In the chorus, she sings:
“Fantasy is keeping me alive
Laying me down, my thoughts have wings like butterflies
Fictional healing, realized”
“Fantasy” by Luna Li
The titular concept of “a thought growing wings” comes back in the final song of the album, “Bon Voyage.” The song features Li wondering what things are like from her partner’s perspective. She imagines the thoughts and feelings they must have and, through this fictional exercise, tries to see beyond herself. It’s unclear whether her thought growing wings is her leaving and traveling to LA or her leaving herself and entering someone else’s thoughts. Either way, Li’s artistry and fantasy create her reality.
I am an Austin, TX based filmmaker and photographer. I moved from Houston to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where I graduated in 2022. I'm a lifelong music lover and spend most of my weekends attending shows. Some recent favorites are K. Flay, Devon Again, and Farmer's Wife. Other than that, I enjoy reading, writing, playing volleyball, yoga, and gaming.
