Departing a bit from indie bands, and veering into a slightly different direction, I’d like to introduce you to an electronica solo artist called Owl City.

Owl City is a project of Adam Young, whose work you may have heard on a Reliant K song, “Terminals”. Lead vocalist, Matt Thiessen, returned the favor by contributing guest vocals on “Fireflies“.

I heard “Fireflies” because of an iTunes Genius suggestion today, and instantly fell in love, and just as instantly, purchased the new album, Ocean Eyes.

Saltwater Room is another favorite of mine; it’s the first appearance of Breanne Duren, who, in my opinion, really adds another level of accessibility and personality to the album (much like Jenny Lewis did on Postal Service’s Give Up).

Here’s the skinny, readers: If you like what Ben Gibbard, Jimmy Tamborello, and Jenny Lewis did with Postal Service, you will LOVE Owl City. In fact, if you didn’t know better, you could easily mistake Young’s voice (and writing) for Gibbard’s. Young has a knack for writing catchy hooks and verses that latch into your brain and won’t let go.

If Freddie Mercury and Barry Gibb had a love child, it would be Mika: a Lebanese-born Parisian singer/songwriter now living in London.  He is a BRIT Award winner, and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Recording with his single Love Today.

In 2007, he rose to notoriety with his debut release Life in Cartoon Motion, which featured the single Grace Kelly.  The song found its way into the US more than once on MTV’s The Hills and as the opening to the 2008 movie What Happens in Vegas.

Life in Cartoon Motion is a roller coaster of styles and sounds, ranging from the melodic kiss-off that is My Interpretation, to the fun, child-like Lollipop.  The album also features another light-hearted track titled Big Girl: an ode to the beauty often overlooked in the shapelier women of the world.

Mika’s second album,  The Boy Who Knew Too Much, is scheduled to drop September 22,2009, shortly before he kicks off his North American tour stretching from Boston to Seattle, with a few visits in Canada as well.  The first single,  We Are Golden, a showy pop anthem featuring the Andre Crouch Gospel Choir is already available for download.  The album also features By The Time: a beautiful collaboration with Imogen Heap.

If you’re looking for something more fun, out-there, and playfully honest, then you cannot pass up getting to know Mika’s music.