MIKA Set to Drop New Album, 'The Origin of Love' September 16th; Pharrell Williams-Assisted 'Celebrate' Out September 9th

Whether he's singing about big girls being beautiful, lollipops or Grace Kelly, there's just something about singer/songwriter MIKA's music that makes you happy. With all that's going on in the world, I think it's about time for some MIKA-induced happiness which makes the announcement about his forthcoming new album, The Origin Of Love, all the more exciting. The Origin Of Love, MIKA's third album will be released September 16th via Island Records. Preceding the album's release will be the first official single, "Celebrate," featuring American singer/songwriter/producer (and N*E*R*D member) Pharrell Williams, due September 9th.

Back in July of last year, I became admittedly nervous when MIKA dropped a flawless new FRENCH-language single, "Elle Me Dit." Going straight to the top of the French charts, "Elle Me Dit" ("She Tells Me") was catchy as hell, and while it's true that music transcends all language and blah-di-blah-di-blah, I still wanted to understand what the hell he was singing about! Of course, I started catastrophizing (par for the course); Was MIKA forgoing an album here in America? Had he given up on his English-speaking fans? Of course none of this turned out to be true.

The Origin of Love serves as the follow up to MIKA's tremendously popular, multi-million selling 2009 worldwide SMASH album The Boy Who Knew Too Much. Lead single, "Celebrate" is an infectiously delicious taster of MIKA's joyful brand of pop refreshment, co-written by MIKA himself alongside Pharrell Williams and produced by Nick Littlemore (from Empire of The Sun).

For two years, MIKA slaved away on the creation of The Origin of Love, his perfectionist ways influencing nearly every aspect of the album. In addition to collaborating with Pharrell and Littlemore, MIKA called upon William Orbit, Benny Benassi, FrYars, Greg Wells (Katy Perry, Adele), Klas Ahlund (Robyn, Britney Spears) as well as some previously untapped talent - unsigned artists he found online. In talking about how the single, "Celebrate" and the album materialized, MIKA explains:

"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!  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’s an album about crazy love songs and tolerance. It was recorded in Miami and London but mostly in FrYars' north London bedroom studio!”

Last month, MIKA unveiled a "short film" that he commissioned as a sort of visual complement to "Make You Happy," one of his new songs.  While not an official single, it was the first song MIKA wanted his fans to hear.  The electro-infused mid-tempo pop spectacular offers yet another little taste of what we can expect on the new album.  The video was directed by louri Philippe Paillé and filmed in Montreal.  According to MIKA, "This is where the entire album started taking shape a year ago with Nick Littlemore at Planet Studios in Papineau."

Before he could begin work on his new album, MIKA spent the majority of 2010 and 2011 on a massive worldwide tour, playing hundreds of shows to sold out crowds all across Europe, Asia and North America.  On July 26th MIKA will return to London to perform at Heaven.  Make sure you check out gigsandtours.com for more information on tickets and future gigs.

Listen to both "Celebrate" and "Make You Happy" BELOW and download the new single starting on September 9th (iTunes UK). You can also download a new track written by MIKA called "Gang Bang," taken from Madonna's new record MDNA (iTunes UK/iTunes US).

Make You Happy from Mika on Vimeo.

Check out MIKA on the web: 

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO