Although Luna Li now calls LA home, the songwriter has her hometown of Toronto to thank for boosting her to her current level of stardom. Originally fronting the local alt-rock groups Mother Tongues and VEINS in the mid-’10s, Luna splintered off in 2017 to release a series of more pop-oriented solo side projects which culminated in the psychedelic chamber pop of her 2022 debut full-length, Duality (and, ultimately, the aforementioned move to California).
Yet her sophomore solo album When a Thought Grows Wings feels far removed from either of those bustling cities—instead, the feather-light compositions reflect the artist lost in thought in the tight confines of her bedroom while daydreaming a meditative escape to a place that’s beyond rural. With the soft, psychedelic pop of early singles “Golden Hour” and “Bon Voyage” as guiding stars, the cosmic LP feels primed for checking out mentally after a long day at work and watching the city life pass you by on the commute home.
With the record out today via In Real Life and AWAL, Li took us back to her hometown of Toronto to walk us through an ideal day in the city—from yoga in the morning with mom to biking at golden hour (perhaps the inspiration for one of those aforementioned singles). Check out her words and photos documenting her idea of a perfect day in Toronto below, and stream the new album here.
To me, a perfect day in Toronto is really about spending time with all the people I love! Now that I don’t live in the city anymore, it's all the more precious to see my family and friends every time I come back. Toronto also has some really incredible restaurants, parks, and bike paths near the lake, so I try to hit all of those things when I’m in the city.
I stay with my mom whenever I visit Toronto, and we’ve been really into doing “Yoga with Adriene” videos together. A great way to start the day!
It’s not Toronto without spending some time on the TTC—here’s me on the streetcar going to meet friends.
Having a picnic in Trinity Bellwoods park, complete with good music on the bluetooth speaker, a massage train, and hair braiding.
Vegan ice cream from Honey’s.
Biking down to the lake with friends is the best way to spend golden hour.
Dinner with my mom at Soos, one of our favorite restaurants in Toronto that serves modern interpretations of Malaysian street food.
Finishing off the night spending time with my brothers and mom outside on our front porch.
