An EP of four songs illustrated by artists from around the world.
Casablanca Records 2009
£15/20.00
Review by Jareh Das
Songs For Sorrow, an acoustic collection in a marvellously illustrated book is a brilliant taster of Mika’s forthcoming album.
I'm probably one of the few people around who doesn't mind Mika, I mean he's OK right? Pretty talented and even if he's music isn't exactly your bag you've got to give it to him...The guy has sold a lot of records and writes his own material (in the process of reviewing this I’ve learnt quite a lot about Mika’s success). Prior to listening and reading ‘Songs of Sorrow', I had just recently partly read Observer Music Monthly’s interview with the musician and this was what drew me to him - his popularity, success and seemingly rather nice personality. Mika gets some very unnecessary bad press from the Indie mags but those guys are often very pretentious and are sometimes unjust for unjust sake.. His music is Pop, and Pop today is humorous, tongue in cheek and really doesn't have to succumb to misery and dreary lyrics which these types of magazines champion. What I positively like about Mika is his theatrical stage presence and the control he has over the portrayal of his musical oeuvre's. 'Songs For Sorrow' is exemplary of the apt way in which MIKA portrays his music and his context, as his EP is presented in an illustrated book by renowned artists, designers and illustrators form around the world (Sir Peter Blake, Alber Elbaz, Paul Smith, Arcade Fire, Owen Pallet, Da Wack and even David McKee's illustrations make an appearance).
The tracks influence the book and vice versa. It's a bit of a teaser to his forthcoming album in the autumn and is available at Mika's website and in Paul Smith stores. The highlight track for me is Blue Eyes, as although it's of his distinct vocal lyricism, it has a funky tropical beat and I couldn't help but bop my head to the catchy chorus “I’m talking about Blue eyes, Blue eyes what’s the matter, matter, matter.....’’ Oh yes! head bopping required. Toy Boy is a ode to Pinocchio like loneliness endured by classic wooden toy ''has a heart of gold, in the smallest size, leave me in the dark and you never hear me cry''. The other two tracks Lonely Alcoholic describe the turmoils of alcoholism from a single mother to a mediocre writer; whilst Lady Jane (a ballad of sorts with piano rifts) tells a tale of a mystical river saint who's unlucky in love. It’s no wonder Mika is an international star, he's witty, clever and in a league of his own. Don’t write him off, and do have a listen to his album when it comes out in the autumn.
www. mikasounds.com
www.paulsmith.co.uk
