Mika Ella is a singer/songwriter from Croatia, working closely with producer Chris Hurts and started her music career in a project called Matrix in 1999, that enjoyed incredible success in her homeland, releasing 3 albums and 15 singles, most of which topped the charts in Croatia, resulting in touring in europe.
Fast forward to the beginning of 2019 and Mika wanted to start a new project, singing in English and making music inspired by the sound of 80s music and released the single "Take It Or Leave It", further singles followed and we now have a new album "Take It Or Leave It, Baby"
The opening track is a wonderful, warm, lush instrumental with some truly excellent synth sounds and I love the overlay of tubular bells.
"Take It Or Leave It" is Mika's signature song and one of the best Italo Disco songs I have ever heard, it is infectious and melodic and has a chorus to die for, Mika's voice is perfect, it is no surprise that this song was the first single released from the album, this deserves to be a massive hit across Europe, it is that good. As well as the album version, an extended version is also featured on the album, which if you like those 80s styled 12 inch extended versions like me, you won't be disappointed.
We have another gem in the shape of "The Girl With Golden Hair" next, another single, a fabulous dance track with exceptional production and again Mika's vocals are divine, a song that you will find yourself singing along too, as with "Take It Or Leave It", we get the bonus of an additional extended version AND an additional Midnight Version Remix, which has a more laid back feel to it and is a superb alternative mix :)
"Disco Is Not Dead" instantly reminded me of the sound of 80s Italo Disco band Lime, who were from Holland, check them out, especially the tracks "Guilty" and "Angel Eyes". With a throbbing italo disco bassline and vocoded vocal "Disco Is Not Dead" is one for the dancefloor, great synth stabs and melodic synth parts, it actually sounds quite futuristic and could easily be found on a science fiction soundtrack.
The single "Free Like Amsterdam", one word awesome, instantly grabs you with its melodic hook, Mika's dreamy vocals are effortless, trust me this is another sing-a-long track, great bass-line and top class synth work, another polished production, as is the whole album, again we get the bonus of an additional 80s styled extended version.
Mika has teamed up with Linda Jo Rizzo on "Last 2 Girls On The Dancefloor", a europop mid paced track with strong synth leads, another fabulous driving Bass-Line and vocal duties shared, another solid track and was released as a single, there is a bonus extended mix featured on the album too.
Another big favourite of mine is "Never Let It Die", also a single, which sees Mika produce a really strong and emotional vocal over a perfect synth backdrop, the warm tones of the song really draw you in, brilliant track. Really delighted that an extended version of the track is also included on the album
"Dead Of Night" has some fantastic synth sounds on it overlaid with electric guitar, the mood of the song reminded me a little bit of Jean Michel Jarre.
Mika works really hard on her music and puts in 100%, that has been evident over the last couple of years and this album shows that, it is an outstanding album and touches many genre, italo disco, synthpop, electro pop, disco and pop, this is an album that deserves to be heard by the masses, and to have various bonus mixes on the album really make this a quality release.
With her passion for music she has the chance to reach an even bigger audience.
"Take It Or Leave It, Baby" is an album that shines from start to finish 9/10The album is available to purchase from Mika's Official Website and various Digital retailers:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mikaella/take-it-or-leave-it-babyMika's Official Homepage:
https://www.mikaella.eu/
