Mike Hadreas doesn't have anything to prove – but that might be the entire point. As Perfume Genius, he has provided us with 15 years of breathtaking artistry, marked by the kind of soul-baring depth that other songwriters can only aspire to. His catalogue has progressed at every turn, and his 2020 album ‘Set My Heart On Fire Immediately’ was, even by his high standards, an extraordinary accomplishment. So remarkable that he may have taken a brief pause – the 2022 release, ‘Ugly Season,’ originated from a dance commission and felt more like a break compared to the captivating intensity of his collaboration with Yeah Yeah Yeahs on ‘Spitting Off The Edge Of The World.’
‘Glory’ captures some elements of ‘Set My Heart On Fire Immediately’ while refusing to be confined to the past. It’s splendidly expansive, shifting from heavy alt-rock guitar riffs to tender piano, all anchored by Hadreas’ confident songwriting and his incredible voice, which offers emotional clarity.
The opening sequence draws from sounds of his youth, enveloped in 90s influences reminiscent of the Smashing Pumpkins, Sugar, or even Alanis Morissette. ‘It’s A Mirror,’ with its serpentine guitar melody, serves as an exceptionally powerful opener, as the band’s robust sound masks the darkness within the vocals; “something is making you sick,” indeed.
‘No Front Teeth’ is, quite simply, an Alpine-like peak, and despite its ethereal Aldous Harding backing vocal, it conveys themes of painful violence and turmoil. The moment when the guitar riff resurfaces to pummel the song into submission is among the most visceral and exhilarating moments we’ll experience all year.
Yet, perhaps a jagged little pill requires some sweetness to accompany it, as ‘Glory’ then unfolds into a calming realm of minimalism. The sparse ‘Clean Heart’ evokes Laurie Anderson, with its charming xylophone-like counter melody hinting at something more grand. ‘Me & Angel’ could be a Lou Reed piano ballad, a demonstration of restraint that lays bare the emotional tug-of-war: “you looked like me / how I used to be…”
Using space wisely, Perfume Genius elevates the framework of ‘Left For Tomorrow’ to reveal a purring rhythmic core, while the intense sense of claustrophobia in ‘Capezio’ possesses a cinematic quality.
The haunting ‘Dion’ refuses to let the temperature rise above zero, with synths transformed into howling winds. The unsettling ‘In A Row’ invokes Suicide at their most captivating, while the jazz-infused flexibility of ‘Hanging Out’ draws from an entirely different place.
A record filled with quiet surprises and subtle audacity, ‘Glory’ concludes – quite fittingly – with the title track, a whispered invocation that relies on words as instruments of truth. It’s a beautiful moment, bold in its own manner. Serving as the perfect conclusion, ‘Glory’ demonstrates the ongoing creative assurance of Perfume Genius and the profound intention that flows through his work. With nothing to prove, he has intensified his efforts and added another monumental achievement to his discography.
9/10
Words: Robin Murray
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Mike Hadreas has no need to demonstrate anything – yet perhaps that’s exactly the point. Under the name Perfume Genius, he has provided us with 15 years of remarkable artistry, the sort of