The Midsummer Station

Adam Young may have started Owl City in his basement and sparked his buzz via Myspace, but he's now playing fully aboveground, with pop sensation Carly Rae Jespen joining Young for a duet on the sure-shot single "Good Time." High-powered producer Stargate is recruited to co-produce the modern pop confection "Shooting Star," while another big name, Kool Kojak, assists with "Take It All Away." The whole album has a sonically manipulated feel, with heavy compression and mechanized beats dominating every square inch. Blink-182's Mark Hoppus helps craft the harder-rocking edge of "Dementia." However, anyone expecting the balance between emo and electronica of earlier Owl City releases will be disappointed. This is a pop album. The homespun charm has been left to history as Young reaches for the pop charts, using every tool in his arsenal. In truth, it's the evolution that should be expected from someone who made his reputation with the robo-synths of "Hello Seattle" and "Fireflies." Young likely dreamed of having access to the stars, and now he's among them.