Perfume Genius - "Fool" (Video)

The 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

On Perfume Genius' third album, singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas uplifts his emotionally charged piano dirges with even more backing instrumentation.

Perfume Genius - "Queen"

https://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.