Today’s Top Tune by KCRW!
Nearly ten years after her much‑talked‑about NPR Tiny Desk Concert, which introduced wider audiences to the disco‑driven “Secret in the Dark”, Monika revisits the creative era that marked the beginning of her international career.
The Secret in the Dark album was inspired, recorded, and completed at the iconic Dunham Studios in Brooklyn — the creative home of The Dap‑Kings, El Michels Affair, and Menahan Street Band. The musicians involved have left their mark on landmark projects by artists such as Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Norah Jones, Clairo, Kali Uchis, and Bruno Mars.
The album was originally released via Other Music, with distribution through Fat Possum and Secretly Canadian, and quickly evolved into a cult alternative record, earning major critical acclaim from outlets such as pitchfork / New York Times / Fader / Brooklyn Vegan // Stereogum // Billboard // KCRW // The Guardian // PASTE as well as Liberation .
During the same period, Monika made frequent appearances on French television music sessions and recorded two additional tracks with French DJ and producer Yuksek.
In late 2025, Secret in the Dark resurfaced across influential playlists and DJ sets, culminating in regular rotation on the legendary Despacio Soundsystem by James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) and Soulwax / 2ManyDJs, while also gaining its own dedicated Reddit page.
In early 2026, two more previously unreleased tracks from that era — early versions of which were born at Dunham and Diamond Mine Studios in Brooklyn — are being brought to light once again.
Once more, the distinctive groove-driven sound of the team behind El Michels Affair — featuring Leon Michels on keyboards, Nick Movshon on bass, and Homer Steinweiss on drums — combined with additional production from Monika herself and rising producer Xcellence, infuses the new songs with the analog magic and soft‑rock roots that have shaped her artistic identity.
“LA Like A Song,” released on Friday, February 20th, marks Monika’s first new release in three years, serving as a bridge between past and present — reviving the spirit of her New York–era sessions while signaling an exciting new chapter in her timeless sound.