Mike wades into even more abstract waters on Ugly Season.
mike hadreas
Perfume Genius - "Fool" (Video)
New TracksCommentThe previously loved Perfume Genius tags some visuals onto the Too Bright cut "Fool," which had me curious considering the track features a completely unexpected ambient pop-style interlude right in the middle of its run-time. How exactly would this musical transition be handled? Well, with violet curtains, a feather boa, and candles, of course!
It's a pretty abstract set of visuals here, which only brings up more questions in the face of the song's already esoteric storyline. While I don't find it as gratifying as PG's other recent music videos, it's still an opportunity to see Mike Hadreas interacting with a strange cast of characters while rocking golden roller blades. Kudos to director Charlotte Rutherford.
Perfume Genius - Too Bright
ReviewsCommentOn Perfume Genius' third album, singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas uplifts his emotionally charged piano dirges with even more backing instrumentation.
Perfume Genius - "Queen"
New TracksCommenthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfJ9HX13Z8U "Queen," the lead single off Perfume Genius' forthcoming third LP Too Bright, is without a doubt singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas' most extravagant song to date. This time around, he is forgoing the spartan piano arrangements we've found powerful in his prior releases in favor of bright synths, punchy drums, and comparatively pristine production. But the emotion that came with his sparse, reverb-y work of the past has not dissipated with this more ornate compositional palette. Hadreas' vocals are assured, forceful; giving "Queen" the last of the makings for a great pop anthem. While I'll admittedly miss the forlorn piano melodies should the album entirely go in this glitzier direction, this is a pretty interesting change of pace for Hadreas and a plenty evocative piece in its own right.
Too Bright is due out September 23 via Matador.
Perfume Genius- "Rusty Chains"
New Tracks2 Comments[audio:http://www.matadorrecords.com/mpeg/perfume_genius/perfume_genius_rusty_chains.mp3] MP3
Hot on the heels of its second album, the loved Put Your Back N 2 It, Mike Hadreas's Perfume Genius project has released another song. The track, which is titled "Rusty Chains," was previously made available as a bonus on the iTunes version of that sophomore LP, but it is now being given away as a free download.
Sonically, "Rusty Chains" travels down a similar path as the songs on Put Your Back N 2 It. Backed by instrumentation comprised mainly of emotive piano chords and slowly paced drums, Hadreas' heart-wrenched vocal delivery drives the song in an attention-grabbing manner similar to that of his recent output. The two share lyrical similarities as well; according to Hadreas, the song is "for a man whose lover has died. He remembers a time, before his partner took sick, where everything felt safe and endless. He asks to be taken next, so they can be together again." Although no tracks on Put Your Back N 2 It touched on this exact topic, the themes of love, heartbreak, relationship issues, and emotional pain that this song addresses were all represented on the LP.
Grab a free download of the track above.
/via/