Verbalizing the experience many 20-somethings face as they strive for perfection, compare themselves to others and find their place in the world is no easy feat. But for up-and-coming alt-pop artist Emily Li, known as Emei, honesty, vulnerability and angst are all part of the process.

The 23-year-old singer-songwriter has made a name for herself by creating unapologetic, unfiltered lyrics about the imperfections of the human experience, all sung to an undeniably catchy beat.

"Writing music allows me to have creative control and say what I want to say and be myself," Emei tells PEOPLE. "I don't overthink it. I just write about my life, my experiences in my 20s." (people.com)

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