Luna Carina’s “Prague” Finds Power in Vulnerability and Motion
Luna Carina’s new single “Prague” doesn’t just drift—it moves. And in that motion, it glows.
The track, released January 17, marks a shimmering evolution for the experimental indie dream-pop project helmed by Isle of Wight multi-instrumentalist Jacob Smith. Known for crafting atmospheric soundscapes that feel more like vivid memories than songs, Smith—alongside featured Spanish vocalist/producer Nekane—takes a bolder step forward here. “Prague” pulses with a quiet urgency, its heartbeat driven by a crisp, expressive rhythm section and a chorus that’s as addictive as it is emotionally rich.
Yes, the signature Luna Carina textures are all here: lush strings that swoop and shimmer, the unexpected grace of a harp, and vocal layers that feel hand-stitched. But this time, there’s a greater sense of propulsion. The bass and drum section grounds the song in something more kinetic—like wandering a foreign city with purpose rather than aimlessness. It’s not trance, but transformation.
Nekane’s vocals—delicate but anchored—recall the intimacy of Leona Naess and the melodic innocence of Sixpence None The Richer, but they’re shot through with a modern clarity and warmth. Midway in, a spoken-word bridge cuts through the haze like sunlight breaking cloud cover. It’s not showy—it’s human. That moment, paired with the track’s soaring hooks, gives “Prague” a striking emotional arc: not just wistfulness, but resilience. There’s hope in here, too—Cloud Cult levels of hope. The kind that insists on beauty even in brokenness.
Smith’s project has always embraced collaboration and genre fluidity, drawing from a palette that includes Radiohead, Men I Trust, Nilufer Yanya, and Bonobo. But “Prague” may be the most fully realized Luna Carina track yet—a dream-pop cut with heartbeat, bones, and breath.
It’s rare for a song to feel simultaneously intimate and cinematic. “Prague” pulls it off. It’s not just a mood—it’s a journey.
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