Tainted Silhouettes is the first studio album from Ana Luna, a project created out of heartbreak and self-realization, and full of songs she describes as “raw, but cinematic.” The alt-pop artist has been releasing music since the beginning of 2023, starting with “Oxytocin” and leading up to her most recent single, “Bleeding Pen.” Initially from Ukraine and then moving between France and Germany, Luna attended college in Boston for acting before taking a chance on music that would ultimately pay off for her.
I recently had the chance to talk to Ana about her album, self-confidence, how living in different countries has influenced her music, and more.
MSM: What is the meaning behind the cover art for Tainted Silhouettes?
ANA LUNA: I wanted the cover art to fully symbolize the album. I wanted it to express not only what the album is about but also the hidden aspects that might not be immediately apparent and things that I realized in hindsight when I looked back at everything I felt when I was writing these songs. There were three main themes I wanted to convey: love, vulnerability and growth, and the feeling of being caged—though not in a negative sense (which I’ll explain).
The concept of the colored paint came to me over a year ago. When I think of heartbreak, I don’t see it as one single emotion or color—it’s a mix of stages and feelings: pain, growth, and transformation. The blend of colors represents that complexity. Being painted nude symbolizes vulnerability—stripping away all the external layers and showing the raw emotion underneath. The hand in the image represents a lover. It’s larger than mine, symbolizing how small and powerless I felt in the face of love and heartbreak, like I was being moved by the force of that emotion. The snow globe was the final element I added. When I revisited Boston last March—the city where many of these stories took place—I walked past my old campus and told a friend that it felt like everything from that time was trapped inside a snow globe. It once felt enormous, consuming, but now, looking back from the outside, it feels contained—like a world that once defined me but is now just one part of a bigger picture.
How do you know when you’ve successfully made a song feel cinematic?
It depends. I think "cinematic" can mean something big and grand, like something that belongs in a film. But it can also mean something that takes you somewhere emotionally and really makes you FEEL. I think I know I've hit my objective when I listen to the song and it makes me feel a certain way. It’s not just a song I’m vibing with, but one that tells a story and really makes me think and feel.
If the album was turned into a major motion picture, what actress would you want to play you (if you didn’t cast yourself)?
Damn, that's such a good question! I don’t know why, but the first that came to mind for me was Kaya Scodelario. I don’t know her personally, but when I look at her and her acting, I think she could capture the balance between the anger/darkness and my soft, vulnerable side. Like me, I think she looks like a bad bitch, but there’s more underneath the surface than you’d initially think.
Which song on the album hits you hardest emotionally?
“Bleeding Pen” and “Can We Pretend We Just Met At A Bar?”—both of these songs represent the final things I would want to say to people and/or myself. I also think “I’ll Keep My Promise” hits hard emotionally too. It’s more about me and how I perceive others to view me. It’s the song on the album where I make myself a promise and let people know that I’m not as tough as I may seem.
Were you always confident when someone told you that you were “too much”? Do you have advice for people who are told the same thing?
Yes and no. My feelings about it have changed as I’ve gotten older. It can still sting sometimes, but this is what I remind myself and what I’d tell anyone who feels the same way:
1. I have people who love me exactly as I am. If I’m “too much” for someone, that’s okay—I have others who love that about me.
2. My “too muchness” is my driving force. It fuels my ambition, my creativity, my empathy—it’s what makes me who I am and what leads me to success.
I’ve learned to love those parts of myself instead of seeing them as flaws. I can be frustrated by my own sensitivity, but it’s my sensitivity that also allows me to make deep art and empathize with people. I won’t let anyone dim that light. If it’s too much for you, you know where the door is. I only change things about myself if they’re genuinely hurtful to others.
What was it like moving from Ukraine to France (if you remember it), then to the United States? How has that impacted you and/or your music journey?
What I remember most about moving to France was not speaking French at all. My English wasn’t great either, but I could get by...but the school decided to put me in a full French class instead of an English one. I couldn’t understand or communicate with anyone for about a year. I had some friends from the English section, but I only saw them during breaks. I actually ended up bonding with a few boys in my class through Pokémon cards (yes, I collected them).
It was definitely hard not being able to fully connect with people every day because of the language barrier. Later, we moved to Germany and then back to France, and I switched between international and French schools. That constant change meant I was always adapting to new cultures and ways of thinking. Then, moving to the U.S. was another big adjustment. I came to the US for college, which is very different from the European university system. The college I went to was also super theatrical and filled with people who celebrated art in a way I’d never experienced before.
All of that shaped my music journey. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of doing things even when I’m scared. This path requires work ethic, collaboration, and drive, and I think my background has helped build those qualities in me.
You directed the music video for “Dance in a Trance” with Noah Hoffman and Will Curtis. What was that experience like?
It was fun but also somewhat stressful and overwhelming, haha. There was a lot of pre-production planning, but you can never fully prepare, as there are always things that change. I hate feeling out of control, so that’s always something that’s difficult for me. We also had a very tiny budget to work with. However, I’m super grateful to everyone who helped make this happen. My vision really did come true, and that’s because of everyone who worked on the video with me!
What made you pursue music in college? Will you return to acting?
I have always wanted to pursue music, but I initially decided to study acting. I started really focusing on my music after I graduated college. I definitely see myself returning to acting in the future, but I like to be able to give my all to one thing at a time. Ultimately I’d love to have both a music and acting career though!
How did you develop your sound? Who are your musical influences?
I’ve been very influenced by artists like Lana Del Rey, Florence and The Machine, and Adele. When it came to creating the album, I approached the process with an open mind and worked closely with my producers to discover the right sound for it. I stayed open to their input and influences while still staying true to my own vision.
What does the future hold for you?
Only the future knows! But I hope that my future is full of music, art, friends, love, adventures, and stability.
