MIKA, a British singer-songwriter, is back with his seventh studio album, "Hyperlove", which came out through Republic Records. Spanning 15 tracks and clocking in at a lean yet expansive 44 minutes and 36 seconds, "Hyperlove" is not just a comeback, it's a declaration. This is MIKA's first album in English since 2019's and his first full-length album in three years, since Que ta tête fleurisse toujours (2023).
The main theme of "Hyperlove" is freedom of the mind, the heart, and the soul. The project started small and personal, and MIKA wrote almost all the songs at the piano over the course of two years. When longtime partner Nick Littlemore of Empire of the Sun joined in as producer, things took an unexpected and exciting turn. The result is a daring mix of songwriting and colorful production, recorded in London, New York, Vienna, Italy, and Los Angeles. It's a worldwide album in both its making and its attitude. Littlemore, who worked with MIKA on The Origin of Love in 2012, gives "Hyperlove" a very trippy feel. The two of them stuck to an all-analog soundtrack, with no digital shortcuts or "in-the-box" production, to stay faithful to the songs' organic beginnings. Every sound has warmth, texture, and purpose, which gives the record a shine that is both old and new. Legendary director John Waters lends his recognizable voice and sly wit to MIKA's already theatrical universe as a guest narrator throughout the album. This adds another dimension of eccentric brilliance. It seems like a strange but great match.
The album has a wide spectrum of songs, from danceable highs to moments of real sensitivity. Some of the best songs are the exuberant title track "Hyperlove," the sharp and contemplative "Modern Times," and the sweeping, emotionally charged "Immortal Love." Every song sounds like a part of a bigger manifesto about living loudly, loving bravely, and choosing artistic daring over safety.
MIKA's album "Hyperlove" really screams freedom. It's full of life, unvarnished, and unapologetic, proof that when you base your reinvention on honesty, it can be nothing short of thrilling.
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