Any mention of Mika usually results in association with his smash début single ‘Grace Kelly’. It’s hard to believe that it’s been eight years since ‘Grace Kelly’ topped the chart in the UK and multiple other countries around the world. Certainly, accompanying album, ‘Life in Cartoon Motion’ was also a huge success, spawning four top ten singles. Follow up album ‘The Boy Who Knew Too Much’ was also a success but lead single ‘We are Golden’ was its only real triumph with follow up singles bombing outside of the Top 40. 2012 saw the release of ‘The Origin of Love’, an imperceptible musical departure from previous albums but one which did signify greater maturity. The album limped into 24 in the UK album chart, hugely disappointing for an album worthy of a far better reception.

Spring forward to June 2015 and there was the surprise arrival of Mika’s latest offering, ‘No Place in Heaven’ which seemingly appeared out of no-where. Perhaps Team Mika should invest more on promotion and generating the buzz that first surrounded Mika at the beginnings of his career. Still, it has so far fared at least a little better than ‘The Origin of Love, peaking at number nineteen in the UK album chart.

‘No Place in Heaven’ is an archetypal Mika album, drizzled in camp abundance, littered with falsetto easy sing-along melodies, an over dependency on the bashing of piano keys, foot stomping percussion and containing more fun than a barrel of monkeys. It’s a return to the immaturity and simplicity of Mika’s first two albums, perhaps in a desperate attempt to regain some of his seemingly fading commercial magic. It’s an irresistibly catchy album full of well-written hooks, organic instruments and a strong vocal delivery from Mika as always; his extensive vocal range is certainly to be admired.

Album opener ‘Talk About You’ begins with a buzzing bass line before launching into a bouncy, buoyant pop-track with an irresistible melody. ‘All She Wants’ maintains the party atmosphere with ‘Mickey’-esque cheerleader hand claps, rich and layered harmonies and a rousing chorus. The album briefly visits the 1960’s with the springy and flamboyant ‘Oh Girl You’re The Devil’ whilst it all goes a bit Fleetwood Mac on ‘Rio’ It’s the up-tempo tracks which are most effective on this album; the ballads remove the fizz and energy of the album aside from the lovely ‘Good Guys’.

It feels like Mika is having a whale of a time and rightly so. He’s delivered a fine album, a master-class in song-writing as always and more than proves his worth. It’s not quite as robust as ‘Life in Cartoon Motion’ or as consistent as ‘The Origin of Love’ but it’s an admirable pop album which proves our UK artists are still something to be very much proud of.

Rating: 4/5.

‘No Place in Heaven’ is available now on Casablanca records.