MIKA returns with summer-ready single “Ice Cream”

The ever-upbeat pop singer is back with another funky-fresh earworm

Your summer 2019 playlist just got a lot sweeter with MIKA’s new single, “Ice Cream.” The upbeat bop, reminiscent of Prince or George Michael at their bubbly best, just oozes sunshine.

It works here, but I’ve always struggled with MIKA’s music. Feel-good music is one thing, but I wanted something more. While “Grace Kelly” felt like a joyful breath of fresh air when it debuted in 2007 (Oh hey, I’m old), and hinted at some depth behind the cartoon image, the rest of his debut album felt empty. A few years later, his duet with a then-brand-new Ariana Grande, “Popular Song,” fell just as flat, like manufactured rainbow-colored optimism in the name of “pop.”

His new single, on the other hand, has cleansed my palate. The funky synths and and guitars lend some dimension to the upbeat track while MIKA’s voice rests in a lower, raspier register than some of his past singles. It feels perfectly crafted for summer; it’s fun, it’s sexy, and once it worms your way into your brain, it doesn’t leave. Get ready for a brain freeze in the best possible way.

Now that “Ice Cream” has whetted my appetite, I’m cautiously curious what MIKA’s next full-length album holds. “My Name is Michael Holbrook” is slated for release four months from now, in October. Hope you’re patient.