FEATURED ARTIST *Luna Keller* Prophecies and Silver Linings - ALBUM REVIEW + INTERVIEW
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FEATURED ARTIST *Luna Keller* Prophecies and Silver Linings - ALBUM REVIEW + INTERVIEW


 

ALBUM REVIEW + INTERVIEW

Luna Keller - Prophecies and Silver Linings


Credit - Grace Bontoft

 

BACKGROUND

 

After working on it for over 2 years and sharing many singles with the world, Luna Keller

finally puts her stories into context on her debut album “Prophecies and Silver Linings”. A

collection of songs written by the artist between her 14th and 20th birthday that revolves

around growing up and self-discovery. “These songs feel like brushstrokes that helped me

paint the image of myself through the years, these are experiences that, in many ways,

define who I am today”

 

ALBUM REVIEW

 

Let's get into this 11-track project then! Track 1 entitled 'High Low High Low 'opens with a folk-inspired guitar pluck, a classic slow and steady drum arrangement, and a country vocal style. The inclusion of strings really brings the track up a notch and slows down the tempo as it weaves in and out of the arrangement. The lyrics are meaningful but catchy "high, low, high low, that's all I know" - I find these lyrics highly relatable. This is a really well-arranged song with great mixing and the lyrics/vocals portray the meaning of the song in perfect accompaniment with the instruments. 'No Man’s Land' - This song keeps to similar use of instruments and remains slow and easy. I really like the tone of this artist's voice and the feel of the album so far. "Even silence is too loud" is a line that stood out to me the most throughout this piece. Luna Keller has a really gorgeous tone in her soft and easy folk/country sound. 'No Man's Land' is a track that would benefit from entering a sync pool for film - I think it would do really really well as it has a story to tell with an emotive feel. Maybe for a scene that tells a journey, something that is featured during a scene of reflection and realisation before a character redefines themself after a period of darkness? Track 3 entitled 'Lost' is a song that has a more soulful twang to the vocals which showcases Lunar Keller's vocal styles. The easy feel of the track is enhanced by the introduction of keys to the album. I love the feel of the album so far! Although Lunar wrote these songs between the ages of 14 and 20 other same level of maturity is showcased throughout! This song takes a turn as the tempo changes through the use of a soft bass at the back of the mix along with a choppy breakdown in the way that the strings are played. There are also backing adlibs that really make a difference to the feel of the album. There's even a little Spanish guitar pluck thrown in towards the end before ending with a statement "I guess I'll have to find my own way home" I Love it! ' I’ll bring you home' is a track that feels like the second chapter to the song before it. "I guess I'll have to find my own way home" concluded the previous track before introducing "I'll bring you home". This offers a flip of narrative without changing the topic, almost like an answer to the calling of 'Lost'. It feels like 'Lost' was written as a calling for safety and 'I'll bring you home' is almost like the answer that the writer longs to hear back. I think the two tracks provide the imagery of a bird call. I'm not sure if this was the writer's intention, maybe I've overanalysed this, but it's definitely a perspective to ponder? 'Prophecy' opens with the dreamy picking of guitar strings and raw vocals. I love the acoustic of this track. I like that the drums were dropped out of the arrangement as it really brings the lister into the mind of the writer. This is my favorite track of the album so far for that exact reason. There's something so beautifully captivating when an artist sits with their voice at the forefront of a production without overpowering it. As the drums make their appearance it brings an uplifting feel to the track rather than drowning out the initial feel of it, especially when combined with the sweeping backing vocals. 'Shine in Your Eyes' is a song that brings more instruments into the mix to add more depth and contrast to the feel of the album. This is a great track full of guitar layers and the classic country/folk vocal style of this artist. The storytelling and imagery in this one are in-depth and very perceptive. 'Let Me Go Now' comes in with an atmospheric acoustic piano introduction before the soulful element of Luna's vocals is showcased once more. Strings, an even softer drum percussion, and the first song without a guitar! You hear a different side to the emotive skills the artist owns through wolf howel backing vocals. Alongside 'Prophecy' this is one of my favorite tracks of the album. 'Shadows on my wall' is a haunting track that really shows a strong likeness to some of Halsey's earlier works and current album. I've got another favorite song I think! You can hear a transition between this track and all of the others on the album. I can't put my finger on it but the feel of it hits differently when compared to the other songs (I think I'm just a person that likes haunting vocals and arrangements). 'A Ray of Light' really is just that. Another track that would benefit from sync licensing for sure! I think it would do really well in film/TV. 'Wanderer' offers the journey of a soul that addresses the concept of love and distance through the imagery of the sea. The guitar playing really adds to the wavey imagery that this piece creates. The writing style of this song reminds me of Ed Sheeran's less pop-based tracks where he delves into Folk inspired storytelling. I love this. The album ends with 'High Low High Low (Acoustic Version) ' that offers a real stripped-down version of the original without missing any key pieces! In summary, this is such a gorgeous collection of imagery that is handed over as a journey that I don't think has been completed yet. Are they ever? "High Low, High Low". Lunar Keller needs to send her stuff to a sync licensing company for definite! Beautiful work, a skillful storyteller, Luna Keller.



 


INTERVIEW

 

Where are you based?

I grew up in Tenerife, Spain, but I was born in Germany. My whole life I visited Germany in summer to see my family. At the moment I’m in between the two countries, my main base being in Cologne - but in winter I plan to escape to my sunny Canary Islands.


When did you realise that you were an artist?

Artist is a big word, especially when you want to be one. I have been creative since I was small writing poems about lizards and how cute the cat was. Some might say that you are an artist from the moment you create. But the truth is even after finding my voice in Songwriting at 14 years old, and realising that it was my “thing”, I still didn’t feel like I deserved the title. For me it was after my first 3 hour house concert with all originals that I could shut up the importer syndrome and glow - I was literally glowing - and say “I am an artist". Now I could have just given you a simple answer, but the word has weight for me. Looking back though, I don’t think it is a title to become worthy of. I think I was already an artist back when I wrote the lizard poems, wish I could go back in time to tell myself that haha.


Where did you find your inspiration to create the album?

These songs come specifically from my teenage (14) to young adult (20) years. They are a collection of the things I’ve experienced and learned while becoming an adult. Learning how to love, finding myself, letting go of things, finding hope… they paint a picture of who I was and who I hope to become.


When is your favourite time of day to create?

I am definitely a night owl creative, my sweet spot is around midnight just before heading to bed. I feel really connected to myself and I am too tired to overthink, so I can just let it flow.


What motivates you to create?

I think it’s never needed motivation, it’s just been a need. Especially songwriting is like a coping method, a communication channel to myself for me. I can’t stop doing it, it’s an urge to connect through words and music. When it comes to then taking those ideas and producing the songs, playing live… my motivation is always connection. I feel fulfilled when I am creating, sharing music with others, telling stories, listening to stories… it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.


How do you define success as an artist?

I think it’s different for all of us, but I personally think that as long as I am making a living from my music while maintaining my creative freedom and creating something I love - I am successful. I maybe would add reaching the right people and moving them with my music. I sometimes get messages saying that someone is going through a tough time and my songs helped them through it - that my music gets to be there for others is such an honour. So to sum it up having the means to make the music I love full time and hopefully doing some good through it, that’s success to me.


Does art help you in other areas of your life?

Definitely! Music has helped me so much on a personal level, I heal through it, it gets me out of bed on tough days… I also write little songs for the people I love that I never release. It’s a huge part of who I am, I don’t think I can separate “the artist” from “the person”, I don’t think I want to.


How do you develop your artistic skills?

I learn a lot from working with others. Ever since I started I was learning from my dad who produced most of my tracks with me. Now I learn from my fellow artists, by listening and also by writing with them. I’ve found a beautiful community among indie artists where we all step up for each other and learn from each other. I am very aware of how blessed I am to have so many wonderful friends and teachers along the way that got me to where I am now.


What are your ultimate career goals?

My dad and I have this joke that he will play an epic guitar solo at my future show in the Royal Albert Hall haha. But to be honest, even if that would be nice, I don’t aspire to be super famous. I would like to grow enough to fill some cozy theatres and have a nice audience that enjoys my songs. I already feel so grateful to have the audience and space I have now, I will just continue to pour my heart into my music and we’ll see where the path goes.


What are your future plans? What can we look forward to for the rest of 2022?

Now that I’ve released my debut album, I have a couple of collabs and singles to share before diving into the next album. I am already recording that too though - no rest for the creative haha. I will be playing some shows in the second half of the year: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Latvia, UK, Ireland… I’m planning for trips to all those countries, and I am greatly looking forward to them. So the plans are lotsa playing live and lotsa new music!


 

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