Okay, Go: Mika

I go through month-long droughts where I could not be less interested in the current music scene, but I'm kind of loving the music of 2007 so far. James Morrison, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone and Lily Allen have all released good, and in some cases great, albums. I haven't even gotten around to the new Arcade Fire or Bloc Party, and I'm still enjoying 2006 holdovers like Regina Spektor, Cazwell and Cat Power's re-released The Greatest.

But before I get to my newest obsession, I'm going to do it a little differently this time. My last couple of reviews have been a little long and provoked zero comments, so I'm going to give you a bit of background, discuss a couple music videos and then let you tell me what you think.

But let's get around to Mika, shall we? This Lebanese Londoner's debut CD, Life in Cartoon Motion, hit big in Britain and is building some buzz in the States. It would not be hyperbolic to say it's quite unlike anything on the pop landscape right now. Sure, he might be compared to Elton John, Scissor Sisters and Queen, but none of that does him justice.

A classically trained pianist with (according to his Wikipedia page) a five-octave vocal range, this 24-year-old phenom combines kinetic camp with full, lush instrumentation, deceptively rich lyrics and - this is where he gets me - insanely catchy hooks. Love him or leave him, I think you'll find that you don't hear anything like this on the radio or TV right now.

His first U.S. single, "Grace Kelly," was written as a kiss-off to all the record companies that originally rejected him, only to be chosen as the best song to introduce him to people. I didn't know what to make of this the first time I heard it, but now when his voice scales the skyscraper melody of the chorus, I can't help but sing along.



His newest single, "Love Today," wraps itself around a slinky disco beat but the anthemic chorus is cheesy, inspirational and self-absorbingly cheeky all in one. If you're not dancing in your cubicle/office/prison cell (I don't want to make any assumptions about my audience), then you might want to get your pulse checked.



I don't know how to upload MP3s, but if you want to hear more Mika, check out the spacey "Relax (Take It Easy)" and ridiculously infectious "Lollipop" (thank you, YouTubers who make amateur music videos). You can also check out this intriguing interview where he explains why he won't answer questions about his sexuality. It's a PR choice that makes people all the more eager to speculate about him, but hey, you have to admire the guy's gumption to defy the usual celebrity gawking that has become a juggernaut in our media.

Anyway, the first and best word I thought of to describe his music is "celebration." He just seems so happy to be doing what he's doing, and he actually has the talent to back it up. So check him out and this time, you can tell me what you think of him.

Okay, go!

Also check out: Okay, Go: Scissor Sisters.
And: Rock the Cazwell.