Kat Luna Proves She is ‘That Girl’ with Powerful New EP

Some artists step onto the scene with undeniable star power, and Kat Luna is proving she is that girl with her latest EP. A deeply personal journey through healing, self-discovery, and cultural identity, That Girl is more than just a collection of songs—it’s an anthem of resilience and authenticity. All Country News recently sat down with Luna to talk about her emotional rollercoaster leading up to release week, her bilingual artistry, and the incredible team behind the project.

Photo Credit: Matthew Berinato

A Healing Journey in Eight Tracks

When asked about her emotions leading up to release week, Luna’s excitement was palpable. “I think the fact that it's release week and it's coming out now is beyond insane,” she shared. “It’s such a blessing to finally get to share my healing journey with you guys.” The EP isn’t just a snapshot of her artistry—it’s a timeline of her personal evolution, taking listeners through the highs and lows of her growth. Each song serves as a time capsule, marking different phases of her life.

For Luna, picking a favorite track proved impossible. “Each one is like a piece of my healing process,” she explained. “I couldn’t be where I am now without each song.” That level of attachment and raw emotion is evident throughout That Girl, making it one of the most authentic releases of the year.

A Bilingual Breakthrough

One of the most striking aspects of That Girl is Luna’s effortless fusion of English and Spanish, a direct reflection of her Cuban-American heritage. “I was born and raised in Miami, but my grandparents and parents moved here from Cuba when they were young,” she shared. “My first language was Spanish, but growing up listening to country music, I always blended the two.” That cultural duality shines in the EP’s bonus track, Tú No, a Spanish sister song to I Don’t. “There’s never a direct translation,” Luna explained, “so it took on a different meaning. It adds another layer to the story.”

The Story Behind 'That Girl'

Luna opened up about the inspiration behind her latest song, 'That Girl,' revealing how it captures a transformative chapter in her life. 'And that's why it's called That Girl, because I'm not that girl anymore,' she shared. But the songwriting process itself turned out to be just as extraordinary as the song.

The song written alongside icon Rhett Akins made the writing experience even that more special.

“I write for Warner Chapel and they do little writing retreats and they're like, we're gonna do a writing retreat at the Opry and I didn't think much of it, they didn't tell me who I was writing with.'

Walking into the room, she was met with a shocking revelation. 'They were like, okay, your door number, blah, blah, blah. And I was like, okay, go in there, see the name. It was like Rhett Atkins, KK Johnson, Kat Luna. And I saw Rhett, I was like, no, no, no, no, no, there's no way. There's no way I'm writing at the Opry and I'm getting to write with him. There's just no chance. There's no way. 

Despite his legendary status, Atkins made her feel completely at ease. 'I walk in and he's like, hey Kat, how are you? He was such a girls girl. Me and KK are really good friends. So Rhett was part of the girls for the day. He was the first one that was like, you're not that girl anymore. And I'm like, no, I'm not.'

Studio Magic and ‘Oh Sh*t’ Moments

Working with producer Nathan Chapman at the legendary Blackbird Studio was a surreal experience for Luna. “Walking in and seeing Nathan sitting in his chair, I was like, ‘Oh sh*t, we’re doing this,’” she laughed. “Somebody pinch me!”

But it wasn’t just the state-of-the-art studio or Chapman’s legendary expertise that left a lasting impression—it was also the small, unexpected moments. “I’m not a soda girlie, but Nathan introduced me to Diet Dr. Pepper and my life changed forever,” she admitted. “Now, every long recording day, we’d have our soda break—it became a little tradition.”

The Future of That Girl

As Luna steps into this new era, one thing is clear: she is unapologetically herself. Whether it’s through her Spanglish lyrics, her emotional transparency, or even her newly found love for Diet Dr. Pepper, she’s letting fans into her world. With an EP that feels like an open diary, she’s inviting listeners to heal, grow, and celebrate their own journeys right alongside her.