Emika-Emika
Ninja Tune
Emika’s self titled debut album has a twisted beauty to it. For starters, it would be an understatement to call the record dark. The UK born singer’s haunting vocals creates an eerie feeling to the already slow tempo songs that averages around the BPM speeds of downtempo. While many would classify her sound as ranging somewhere in the dubstep category, that title would almost short change the music. In fact, it’s quite difficult to classify it at all. This is what makes this album truly unique. Reminiscent to Portishead’s work, but more abstract and unorthodox, Emika manages isolate herself into a mysterious world of her own.
The song “3 Hours” sounds like house music’s mad little brother that is out for revenge. The 4×4 beat is layered with a heavy, stretched out bassline that borrow’s from the dubstep family tree. With “The Long Goodbye”, you would easily think that you’re listening to a piece that should be placed in the film The Ring. And while the tempo of Emika’s track “Pretend” is a little more upbeat, the twisted house rhythm gets mangled with dirty frequencies of every imaginable range. The arrangement of the songs works extremely well as each song on the album tends to seamlessly flow into the next like one long sonic dream.
Emika’s first album is an addicting aural pleasure that keeps you coming back for more. With each constant listen, you began to realize the genius of the record and understand that within the darkness is a shining ray of light that makes this a brilliant release.