King couldn't feel each lyric more even if she tried. (Cortney Riles/Neon Tommy)

Emily King had me hooked 15 seconds into my first listen of “Down,” the first track off of her most recent EP, “Seven” (2011), so much so that I immediately felt inclined to purchase a ticket to her show at The Hotel Café on February 8th.

Let’s say it is the best decision I have made thus far in the New Year, and not just because I had been dying to check out The Hotel Café. 

King had been touring with British recording star (according to Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Adele) Emeli Sande before up and coming singer/songwriter Emily Elbert opened for her on Friday night.

And I'm certain it is now safe to say where Emilys (at least these three) are found, raw musical talent isn’t far behind. 

Eclectically dressed in the same (cute) outfit she may or may not have worn when she opened for Sande on Wednesday at the El Rey, King may have repeated the same outfit but chances are more attention was paid to her eye grabbing dimples.

Her warm energy quickly relaxed the rustles of at least 40 fans eager to find the perfect standing space, considering all six tables were full within 5 minutes of the opened doors at the intimate venue.

Her contagious smile and soft-spoken yet genuine gratitude for their arrival increased previously expressed excitement for the show. And thus, the set (ignited by her teal painted guitar picking) began at 8:15pm. The next 45 minutes were pure bliss filled with soul, impeccable runs and chilling falsettos. 

True to form, “Down” kicked off the show, followed by a more up tempo version of “Radio.” Following a few technical difficulties, King moved to “U&I” from her first album “East Side Story” (2007).

The echoing “Oh my gods” and “Yeses” following its introduction indicated the tune was a King fan favorite, which led to a brief exposure of her touching humility.

“That’s cool you guys know the song, really cool,” said King.

She continued with the throwback, playing “It Was You” next. King then gave her fingers a rest with “Never Be Lonely” before fast forwarding to her most recent single “Ordinary Heart.”

“If you ever loved anybody, or yourself, this is for you,” she said. 

Guitar back in hand, King slowed things down and set the mood for every first or fiftieth date in attendance with “Every Part.”

It was the chemistry of the faint yet flawless harmonies of fellow “Seven” producer and guitarist, Jeremy Knowles, that made every listener that much more appreciative of the time and energy put into the EP. And it was a mid-silence break key change that made the night complete before it was over.

King briefly reminisced about her roots before performing a funky rendition of The Isley Brothers’ “Work to Do,” which got hands clapping and heads bopping.

“In My Revolution” closed the set and left the audience begging for an encore. Their wish was granted, but thanks to an iPhone whose battery life seems to get shorter by the day, mine of an interview wasn’t. But I did get to greet King after the show and just in case you were wondering, she’s as sweet as her voice sounds.

Keep listening and looking out for what she’ll be coming out with next. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Read more of NT's show reviews here.

Reach Staff Reporter Cortney Riles here. Follow her on Twitter here.