Again from the Northern Vibes playlist on Apple Music, I stumbled onto a voice I couldn’t ignore — LOONY. My introduction came through her 2021 EP soft thing, and the first track I ever played was Faceless. From the moment it started, I was pulled in by her lush, airy vocals that seemed to float over the beat. The production was just as captivating — warm, textured, and perfectly complementing her delivery.
That song sent me down a rabbit hole, exploring her full discography. soft thing became more than just an album — it was an invitation into LOONY’s world. I’ve always appreciated artists who know exactly who they are in their sound, and from track one, she proved she did.
I’ve been especially glad to see more female artists making waves in R&B and neo-soul lately. For a while, it felt like the space was missing that diversity of voice — a time when female artists felt rare, like a hidden treasure. LOONY is part of this welcome shift, bringing a fresh but timeless energy to the genre. She quickly became part of my rotation, and I’ve made it a point to listen to every single she’s dropped since.
One of my new favorites from her is First Thing Smoking. The track is a bittersweet, introspective journey about knowing when it’s time to leave — physically, emotionally, or both. LOONY’s writing here blends vulnerability with quiet confidence.
Lyrically, she paints the picture of always being there for the one that she loves. The phrase “first thing smoking” feels like a nod to catching the easiest way — whether that’s the first bus, train, or plane — and making back to them, singing “whenever you need me, I’ll come running to you.” She expresses this in a small bridge before the hook of the song singing “even if funds are low, i’ll get a ticket,” meaning regardless of her current financial situation, she’ll always be there. Although, the theme of love is repeatedly used in a lot of mainstream music across all genres, her songwriting makes it more original, telling us what she would actually do and not just stating it.
The production mirrors this mood perfectly — slow-burning basslines, airy keys, and subtle percussion give the track a late-night, contemplative atmosphere. It’s music you can feel in your chest, even after the song fades.
LOONY, born Kira Huszar, hails from Scarborough, Ontario — a suburb of Toronto that’s produced its fair share of musical talent. She first made waves with her debut single A Small Flame in 2018, followed by her Part 1 EP. Her blend of retro soul, modern R&B, and introspective lyricism quickly caught the attention of critics and even Elton John, who shouted her out on his Rocket Hour show with, “I love that LOONY!”
She continued to rise with JOYRiDE in 2020 and soft thing in 2021, the latter earning her a longlisting for the 2022 Polaris Music Prize.
In March 2024, she released her debut self-titled album LOONY, recorded between Los Angeles, London, and Rome with collaborators like Dan Farber and Akeel Henry. The project explores themes of girlhood, impermanence, and change — a culmination of the artistry she’s been refining for years.
LOONY’s music is the kind you keep coming back to — not just because it sounds good, but because it feels good. She’s proof that when authenticity meets talent, the result is timeless.
Listen to LOONY’s self titled album below.
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