ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Mike Hadreas (AKA Perfume Genius) has theunique ability to be openly sentimental, yet avoid nauseating schmaltz. The Seattle songwriter has a reputation for being rather fragile. However, this fragility isn’t a sign of whimpering weakness. Rather, by boldly exposing his vulnerability, he raises the flag of defiance.
Too Bright – Perfume Genius’ third record – was produced by Portishead’s Adrian Utley. Accordingly, Hadreas sounds tougher and weirder than ever. Thankfully, his knack for making permeable emotional transactions remains in tact.
The record commences with ‘I Decline’, and specifically the line, “I can see for miles, the same old life / No fate, I decline.” While ‘I Decline’ is the sort of piano ballad we’ve grown accustomed to from Perfume Genius, this resolution is equivalent to Hadreas grabbing your hand and saying, “Just trust me”.
From here, we’re led through a gallery of seemingly disparate sounds and moods. The piano isn’t absent, but it’s no longer Hadreas’ primary accomplice. At various moments, glittering keyboards, soundscape ambience, unnerving vocal pitch-shifting and pulsating synth-bass take over the arrangements.
Too Bright might be unsettling at times, but it’s not disjointed. Much like taking an acid trip or getting a restyled hairdo, once you take the plunge, sensory thrills and enriching satisfaction awaits.
4.5/5.
Too Brightis out now throughMatador/Remote Control.
