Emika 3 Hours

Poignant yet fierce, striking and soft, the UK-born and Berlin-based Emika is a much needed beacon in electronic music, a space seemingly laden with emo-ridden dudes sporting thoughtful beards with a five o'clock silhouette for any given niche.

Emika shakes things up by bringing some serious skin to the game. She's a force to be reckoned with -- the anti-Ellie Goulding -- leaving behind anything sugar-coated and sweet that offers a gently affected tonality for remixers to deepen. Emika singularly achieves depth by speaking through her superb technical and artistic prowess. Her style is unique with a tonality that's consistent. And this is just her first album.

The standout track "3 Hours" drives a steady beat with a riding bass line that allows plenty of room to get lost on the dance floor. Tunes like "Professional Loving" cut to the chase with a waltzing piano line that meanders and terrifies all at the same time.

Cooler than cool, Emika worked as a sound designer for Native Instruments, the tech company that brought us music production & DJ tools like Maschine and Traktor. She began making field recordings from the legendary Berghain nightclub just last year and records in her bedroom.

She's the other girl -- the one we outwardly shutter yet identify with deep down on the inside. She's full of emotion and truth, and while not always overt in her messaging, will always call it like it is. Emika is the girl we want to be (or be with) in the end, but never will because we're too chicken shit to go there.

She's the one who describes what it's like to feel dark and twisted, on the opposite end of everything shiny and bright because let's face it, you know you'll always be the kind of other girl.

Emika's self-titled album is out now from Ninja Tune.