“The record’s central conflict is the back and forth of internal and external”
This is what Michael Hadreas has to say about Perfect Genius’s Glory, set to be released March 28th. The announcement came January 15th for the release of their seventh studio album along with the first single and track on the album, “It’s a Mirror”. It was award “Best New Track”, reminiscent of past success with their 2017 hit “Slip Away” receiving the same accolade.
The album starts with “It’s a Mirror” that starts the album off that is reminiscent of some of the gothic pop from the 80’s. It could slip itself into the soundtrack for Donnie Darko (2001) and would feel out of place. As the album continues with “No Front Teeth”, a sort of dreamy mood comes over the album with vocals from Aldrous Harding. Drummers Tim Carr and Jim Keltner brink a warm wake up with heavy hits on the drums behind a humming harmony from Hadreas in “Clean Heart”.
The difference between the internal and isolation versus external and outward expression arrive with the album’s first ballad, “Me and Angel”. Just when you think the album is going to pick back up it hits an emotional ebb for us only to get picked back up and brought back down with “Dion”, another ballad that shows up later in the album. Both tracks are perfectly placed, showing the kind of masterful pacing Hadreas intended for the album to have.
This album feels a maturing in sound, largely what Hadreas attributes to his open songwriting process with a larger number of faces, familiar and new “I’m more engaged with the band and the audience”. This is all too apparent with the tension that’s built in “In a Row”- a hard hitting ending is felt to be expected but it ends in a vibrating crescendo. Glory ends with its self titled track. It’s quiet and somber but seems full of hope leaving no room for doubt.
Glory is a refreshing cathartic experience from Perfume Genius. While being at his most vulnerable, Hadreas and widened ensemble really did something special here. I’ll certainly be looking for tickets at a venue close to me
Rating - 5/5
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