Rating: 4/5

Five years have flown by since Michael Holbrook Penniman, Jr, a.k.a Mika, exploded onto the UK music scene with his annoyingly catchy, but equally addictive 'Grace Kelly'. Having stormed straight to the number one spot, the colourfully quirky popstar heightened his popularity with 5x Platinum album 'Life In Cartoon Motion', which demonstrated his flair for vibrant pop with a heart. Though the album boasted the playful - 'Grace Kelly', 'Big Girls (You Are Beautiful)' and 'Love Today' - it also hinted at Mika's ability to explore sensitive and sensual - 'Happy Ending'.

However, Mika hit a bump in the road as he unleashed his 2009 sophomore 'The Boy Who Knew Too Much'. While the album demonstrated that Mika could still write a catchy, playful song or two, it failed to capture the public's imagination. Seemingly perturbed by Mika's vow to strip if his lead single 'We Are Golden' hit the top spot, it stumbled into number 4, the same position his album would peak.

The album failed to even certify for Gold let alone attain anywhere near his debut's multi-platinum acclaim, and subsequent singles 'Rain' and 'Blame It On The Girls' missed the Top 40 by miles. It seemed the public had tired of Mika's insincere cheese fest, so unsurprisingly Mika returned to the drawing board and returns with a mature, stripped-back sound on his long-in-the-making third album, 'The Origin Of Love'.

Having teamed up with everyone from Pharrell Williams to Benny Benassi, Mika is an artist reinvented and reinvigorated. Gone are the days of colourful artwork and bombastic earworms as 'Origin Of Love' is a laid back, sophisticated affair. Although he never fully escapes his playful pop tag, Mika excels on a record that finally hints at the man behind the moniker.

While earlier releases have only had the odd shade of the lyricist and performer sprinkled sparsely throughout their cartoonish compositions, 'Origin Of Love' seemingly offers an insight into the man that has somehow managd to keep his true identity sheltered to date.



From the opening of Pet Shop Boys-inspired title-track 'Origin Of Love' through to the Elton John meets Empire Of The Sun synthpop-closer 'Celebrate', Mika seems determined to show that partying is not always a soulless affair. Somewhat strangely for an artist who has made his name with sugary pop, it is the most subdued and understated songs that shine.

While the 'Wicked' sampling 'Popular' is undeniably fun in a Smash-Mouth meets-Len indie-pop credibility-seeking way, the heart-tearing love call 'Kids' is subtle yet direct. Channeling a laid back Josh Rouse, or even mellow Willy Mason, the piano-based number is both heartfelt and meaningful.

'Origin Of Love' is on the whole an elegantly impressive listening experience. It might take a few listens to get past the resounding 'is this really Mika?', but 'Origin Of Love' is a worthwhile addition to any record collection.

While Mika truly excels with his lush subtleties - 'Underwater' and 'Heroes' - he also succeeds at the non-shameful pop party - 'Make You Happy' and 'Overrated'.

The only truly questionable tracks are the paint-by-numbers pop 'Step With Me' and simply annoying gym-filler 'Emily', whilst Mika's return to the Buggles-esque sing and stomp along 'Love You When I'm Drunk' feels out of place on an album that so starkly contrasts with his earlier efforts.