15 Aug 2012

Mika unveils video for new single "Celebrate" featuring Pharrell [Review]

Mika, who recently revealed that he is gay, says the songs on his new album The Origin of Love are inspired by his love affairs with men.

What makes Mika stand out head and shoulders from the rest of the pop pack is his finely-tuned gift for infusing his music with a childlike innocence and genuine joy. It's as if he discovers the world and its beauty for the very first time, and he shares those moments for everyone to enjoy. In other words, he wants "the whole world to celebrate" and spread his cheer around like confetti. That artistic point of view will continue on his forthcoming new album, entitled "The Origin Of Love," that the singer likes to describe as a record "about crazy love songs and tolerance."

Mika
After looking at "life in cartoon motion" and singing about "the boy who knew too much," Mika's new album is shaping up to be his most personal to day. Refreshed and rejuvenated, his new music once again relishes in simple joy but appears to hit a lot closer to home for the British singer. His new single "Celebrate" is a perfect example of that. "This single is what happens when you combine a 22 year old you find online, Fryars, with an extra-planetary Nick Littlemore and Pharrell Williams," Mika says about the song in a press release.

Mika adds, "Written by me, Pharrell and Fryars and produced by Nick, this kind of collaboration is only possible when everyone throws themselves into it wanting to have fun and without any ego. This collective and open attitude was at the heart of 'The Origin Of Love.' It was recorded in Miami and London but mostly in Fryars' north London bedroom studio."

In the fun new video for "Celebrate," Mika is shown working his way through a serious case of writer's block in his New York City loft with footage of the singer writing lyrics on sheets of papers trying to find the right words. He stares out of the window and heads into the city to find inspiration to end up on a dancefloor. Matching the happy outburst in the song, right at the 2:36 minute mark, Mika finds a break-through and knows exactly what to write. "Once again, I pull myself together and I remember those two letters, I will be OK," Mika sings, and shares a simple yet powerful truth that can never be repeated too much. (Mika "Celebrate" featuring Pharrell will released on September 30.)