On Hyperlove, MIKA reminds us exactly why he has always occupied a lane entirely of his own. This is his first English-language studio album since 2019, and rather than feeling like a cautious return, it bursts forward with real theatrical confidence.
Hyperlove is bold, joyful, dramatic and feels deeply – an album that leans into connection at a time when sadly, so much of modern life encourages detachment.
The album opens with the title track ‘Hyperlove’, a slow-burning and slightly eerie introduction that sets the tone beautifully. It’s gentle, drawing you in rather than demanding attention. There’s a sense of anticipation in the air, as if the curtain is lifting on something expansive. From there, ‘Modern Times’ arrives with a familiar rush of synths and pop energy – unmistakably MIKA – playful and vibrant.
Across its 15 tracks, Hyperlove feels carefully paced and theatrical, without being overwhelming. Co-produced with Nick Littlemore (Pnau, Empire of the Sun), the album dips into lightly psychedelic electro-pop territory, but always with melody at its core. This is an album built for movement – dancing, singing along, feeling things fully – but it never loses sight of emotional intention.
There’s a warmth running through the record that feels especially welcome. While not every track is a sparkling new MIKA classic, nothing here disrupts the album’s flow. Instead, it carries a consistent, life-affirming energy, embracing joy without ignoring vulnerability. It’s a perfect example of listening to an album intentionally, front to back, exactly as it was created by the artist.
Tracks like ‘Nicotine’ and ‘Excuses For Love’ feel the most nostalgic, echoing the colourful, old-school MIKA sound many people fell in love with in 2007. They’re playful, emotional and unapologetically pop, but still grounded in the album’s core sound. ‘Excuses For Love’ in particular stands out as a heart-of-the-album moment – euphoric, bass-driven and quietly defiant. Its message feels especially resonant: questioning why love so often comes with conditions, shame or justification.
The album features three interludes – ‘Everything’s Beautiful’, ‘Please Take Your Problems With You’ and ‘Immortal Dream’ – which act as pauses rather than distractions. They give the record room to breathe, adding to its theatrical flow rather than interrupting it. ‘Everything’s Beautiful (Interlude)’ may be brief, but it’s impossible not to picture it going off live – one of those moments where the room lifts collectively.
As the album draws to a close, ‘Immortal Love’ feels like the perfect final chapter. It’s a joyful, dance-out ending that wraps Hyperlove up on a high, leaving you energised rather than drained. After an album full of colour, emotion and movement, it sends you back out into the world a little lighter than before.
MIKA has described his upcoming live show as “beautiful, visual, dramatic, courageous and euphoric” – a description that fits Hyperlove perfectly. With The Spinning Out Tour beginning its European run in February 2026, this album feels built for the stage: communal, expressive and unashamedly heartfelt.
Even if MIKA never truly went away, Hyperlove feels like a reaffirmation of his imagination, his voice and his ability to make pop music that is both joyful and deeply human. It’s vibrant, emotional and full of heart. And right now, that feels like exactly what’s needed.
UK LIVE DATES 2026
- 11th February – AO Arena, Manchester
- 12th February – OVO Wembley Arena, London
- 12th June – DEPOT Live at Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
- 26th June – On the Mount at Wasing, Reading
- 30th July – Belladrum Festival
