INTERVIEW: Luna Li Reveals The Song That Made Her Feel Uncertain In Her Latest Album

By Aqasha Nalani  •  02 May 2025 in Features

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If you’ve spent any time floating through the space of indie pop in the last few years, chances are Luna Li’s cosmic soundscape has already touched you.

Born Hannah Bussiere Kim in Toronto, Luna Li is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and visionary of Korean-Canadian heritage whose music feels like a lucid dream soaked in honey, glitter, and the ache of growing up.

Having toured with Japanese Breakfast, opening for Mitski, and appearing at renowned festivals like Coachella, the 28-year-old has also built a solid fan base online and at her shows.

In 2022, she made waves with her critically adored debut album, Duality, a rich exploration of feminine energy, vulnerability, and inner balance.

But her latest release, When a Thought Grows Wings (2024), takes that introspection and blooms it outward. Described by Luna as a “letting go” and a “gentle curiosity about life,” this second album is both more playful and more emotionally expansive.

Although her scheduled concert in Malaysia was cancelled, JUICE recently had the opportunity to sit down with the artist to get an insider look at her latest record.

Hello Luna Li, welcome to JUICE! When a Thought Grows Wings feels deeply personal—was there a specific moment or memory that sparked the title lyric from ‘Bon Voyage’?

I remember wanting to explore the questions: Can we alter our own destinies, or are they set in stone? How do we create a life lived with love? These questions eventually sparked the lyrics for ‘Bon Voyage’.

You’ve talked about boundaries in ‘I Would Let You’. What’s a boundary you didn’t realise you needed until after writing that song?

Writing that whole song was a process of discovery. Putting “I would exchange comfort for freedom” into words was one of the biggest realisations for me.

You’ve said this album is about “allowing little thoughts to bloom into action.” Was there ever a song you almost abandoned that ended up becoming essential to the album?

I felt a lot of uncertainty about the song ‘That’s Life’, and I rewrote the lyrics multiple times. Eventually, I came back to the first version and decided it was the best one–it was the truest.

This album feels like a reclamation of self—did you find yourself rewriting any past narratives or beliefs about who you are as an artist or woman?

With this album, I wanted to step into a sonic and lyrical space that was more mature and intricate than what I’d created on Duality and jams. It was less about rewriting and more about expanding the world of Luna Li into new, more vulnerable, honest, and interesting territory.

Was there a moment while performing these new songs live when something clicked emotionally that hadn’t during the writing process?

I’ve had a few moments playing ‘That’s Life’ live where the lyrics hit home in new ways, applying themselves to relevant situations in my life. It’s always nice when a song can take on new meaning as you grow and experience more.

If this album had a message for someone going through their own major life transition, what do you hope they take from it?

I would hope that they can take some comfort and a sense of hope, trust, and optimism from the album.

Your signature sound is loved by many Malaysians, and we’ve seen you collaborate with artists like Amaria and Raveena. Would you be open to collaborating with Malaysian acts who carry similar sounds like lunadira?

I feel very honoured that my music is connecting with people in Malaysia right now. I would love to collaborate with artists there!

As Luna Li continues to evolve, When a Thought Grows Wings marks not just a sonic expansion but a deeper unveiling of her inner world—one that invites us to grow alongside her. With vulnerability at its core and freedom in its form, the album is a testament to trusting your path, even when it’s unclear.

Whether you’re navigating heartbreak, rediscovering joy, or just trying to bloom where you’re planted, Luna Li’s music reminds us that it’s okay to let go—because that’s when the wings appear.

Stream When a Thought Grows Wings here:

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