Although Nistha Raj is well versed in both Western and Hindustani classical music, she says that Exit 1 is not a classical album. What happens when Western classical meets Hindustani music? Raj's solo debut album, Exit 1.

Raj is an Indian-American who began studying violin at the age of nine. After graduating with a BA in Western classical music, she found herself compelled to travel and study the music of the East, eventually spending three years in India exploring Hindustani music.

"There was not a lot of support from my family to go to India to study music because it was never considered a viable career," she says. "And as a woman it was not easy to live there and be taken seriously. So the music really is my blood sweat and tears. It's so important to me that I play this music. It's what resonates most deeply with me."

"It's rooted in Hindustani music, but it's a crossover," she insists. Since Raj is no stranger to musical collaborations — having played with jazz trio the Fourth Stream, rock band the NRIs or working with Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon, you're inclined to believe her.

It's that fraternization with hip-hop that provides Exit 1's most exciting moment. On "Shivranjani," Raj begins playing a traditional Indian raga but instead of tabla after the break, a beatboxer appears. With that track, Exit 1 takes flight.

Exit 1 will be released Feb. 26, but you can stream the entire record above.