Dreamy, soulful, and honest. These are the cornerstones of Luna Li’s sophomore album When a Thought Grows Wings.
Li may only have two albums under her belt, but she writes and produces records as if she’s been doing it forever. Fully involved in every stage of the song-making process, there are imprints of Li’s personality all over her work. Since the release of her debut album in 2022, she’s been through it all—the end of a long-term relationship and a relocation from Toronto to LA–all of it contributing to the album-making process. In an Instagram post, she writes this about the album: “I tried to challenge myself to write more openly and vulnerably than I have before [. . .] I found myself connecting more deeply than ever with music.”
When a Thought Grows Wings gives life to the thoughts bouncing around Li’s mind. Instead of pushing them away, she brings them to the forefront—the good, bad, and everything in between. Between the aftermath of a breakup and reliving the early days of a new relationship, Li seems to become acquainted with a new part of herself as she navigates this new stage of her life. She handles it all with grace and tenderness, guiding you from one song to the next.
One of the most alluring features of Li’s music is her songwriting abilities. Her lyrics read like poetry, drawing you in with vivid imagery and metaphors (“He was an oak tree shading my ground / Constant as leaves turn wind into sound”), and thought-provoking sentiments (“Now I’m swallowing wind / On the passenger’s side / Wondering how it feels to die / When you know that it’s your time.”)
Li brings a variety of sounds to the record with her widespread musical talent. A true virtuoso, Li plays the piano, violin, harp, guitar, and keyboard. Over eleven tracks, there is a taste of everything—from soft drum beats in “Confusion Song” to the electric guitar-powered outro in “Golden Hour.” In “Fear is an Illusion!” listeners can enjoy a soothing 17-second instrumental that leads into the final track, “Bon Voyage,” which opens with the sound of woodwinds. Paired with Li’s soft-spoken voice and layered vocals, When a Thought Grows Wings feels like being lost in a daydream.
As Li embarks on her next tour and continues to explore this album cycle and new phase of her life, she is bound to grow more confident in her music. Perhaps her third album will include some experimentation, or maybe she will lean into her preferred genre and hone her abilities. Either way, it will be a career worth watching.
Luna Li will perform at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto on September 28.
