The Origin of Love Island***

Those irritated by Mika’s polarising falsetto will be happy to know the singer has toned it down for his third album. Unfortunately for fans of songs such as Love Today and Grace Kelly, it seems the gap left by the singer’s bubbly pop theatrics has been filled by something entirely less appealing.

All too often, The Origin of Love sounds like a sterile, synthesised club soundtrack. Stardust and Overrated reveal nothing of Mika's personality, while Pharrell Williams's input on Celebrate seems rather tokenistic. Despite those missteps, there's much to like. Lola's Fleetwood Mac-meets- Bee Gees vibe is super, Kids inventively pairs a glitchy beat with an acoustic guitar, and Make You Happy vaguely references Pet Shop Boys. It's certainly a new angle for Mika, but one you suspect even he isn't completely comfortable with. mikasounds.com

Download tracks:Lola, Kids