During the isolating, dissociating, hazy lockdown daze (days) of the pandemic, there were occasional brief and dazzling breaks in the thick clouds. Usually no longer than a minute long, Luna Li’s series of DIY videos provided a sunny oasis in a dreary desert to an audience starved for online communion. From her Toronto home, surrounded by the numerous instruments she mastered, Hannah Bussere Kim (aka Luna Li)’s jams were an instant hit. The sound of her virtuosic harp, violin, electric guitar (or other instruments), and lilting melodies — all delivered with a quiet, disarming charm, were just the ticket.

Ever productive, the classically trained Luna Li used her pandemic-imposed downtime wisely, working toward an album of epic pop gems, Duality (a nod to her Canadian-Korean heritage). Her songs are wistful, earworm hum-alongable, slightly sad and filled with cherry blossoms and one last sunny day at the beach until next season. May Luna Li long continue her reign as the Moon Fairy, quietly sprinkling magic dust over unsuspecting listeners, who blink themselves awake in the glittery fog of sleeping lovers’ afterglow.

— Chantal Vitalis