"My friends say I'm spacey as hell, I'm often in my own little world," Kira Huszar said in a press release announcing her debut album as LOONY, explaining her choice of stage name. Huszar's own little world is exactly what we get with LOONY — with introspective lyrics, soulful vocals and syrupy production, she invites us into her peculiar universe.
Huszar's new record is an evolution of her contemporary R&B sound, influenced by the jazz, neo-soul and gospel artists of the past. Her soulful voice, so adept at traversing the emotional complexities at the core of her music, feels so close to the ear you could swear you feel her breath on your neck. Listening back to her debut EP, 2018's Part I, it's clear that Huszar has always had a clear vision for who LOONY was and who she's gradually become.
Having worked on LOONY over the course of the past two years in between studios in Los Angeles, London and Rome, Huszar brought the record to life with support from producers Dan Farber, Akeel Henry, adamjosh and Aaron Paris, among others. Spanning a number of genres, Huszar's debut full-length feels as much a balm for someone experiencing their first heartbreak as it does a pre-game soundtrack for anyone who finds themselves in their Lucky Girl era.
"Counting Thunder" sets the stage with the perfect vibe check, highlighting Huszar's exceptional skill for unpacking complex emotions with an innate passion for storytelling. Combined with an upbeat but cool-as-ice production style, the track is reminiscent of Tyler the Creator and Pharrell's complex and spring-loaded beatwork. Lyrics like, "Hands are for holding, not for slamming doors / I do both for sure, I do both for sure," give big main character energy, strutting down the street in the establishing shot of a film.
"People Die Everyday" is a ballad that feels more like a past version of LOONY, powerhouse vocals and deft production, this is the sound we've come to know since Huszar first started releasing music under the moniker. Cutting lyrics like, "And I don't care who's right / When it's your hand I sing / Why people die, die every day," connect instantly with anyone who has been through a fight that feels simultaneously like the most important thing in the world and nothing at all.
LOONY is, above all, a deeply personal and honest record. It doesn't tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. It pulls you in like the cushions of an overstuffed sofa, Huszar's velvety vocals and sharp lyrics making for a strange sense of comfort.