Perfume Genius’s 2010 album “Learning” never seemed to be "released" as record companies do with albums. "Learning" for many appear out of nowhere like a spirit. Ten beautiful songs about alienation, emotional self-destruction and the scars of growing up different during the the toughest period of adolescence when the only thing you want to do is fit in and find any kind of connection amongst your peers. It pulled old and new fans alike as close as magnets due to its emotional resonance and warmth.It is that warmth found within the songs that transcends the shiny
Michael Hadreas, the soul of perfume genius, is now back to provide musical and emotional companionship once more with “Put Your Back N 2 It” and while its still another showcase for Hadreas’s sublime songcraft and unnerving talent for sheer lyrical poignancy, this time the sound is fuller and more fleshed out from just the lonely piano that provided the musical backdrops on “learning”.Drumbeats and keys are wrapped in a warm summery haze of gentle reverb and the comforting fuzz of incidental noise.
On “Normal Song” where Hadreas is backed by acoustic guitar, it is whole a verse before there is any sign of the familiar notes of the piano. it is a sound akin to will Oldham at his most subdued and melancholy, the sparse guitar a worthy replacement to the sound of of Michael Hadreas’s parlor grand.As always when you are lucky enough to listen to perfume genius the first thing that hits you is Hadreas voice, Equal parts wayne coyne in sound and Antony Hegarty in gospel quiver.It is a voice which lights up a room, a warm elegiac soul given fragility in cracks and near whispers and the supportive crackle of the static in the microphones.
“Put your back’s..” real affection is secretly stashed in tracks such as “Hood” with the uplifting message of love found in desolation and “Floating Spit's” distorted how to dress well influenced boombox drums that makes Michael Hadreas sound like he is doing 3am karaoke in the loneliest bar in the city.It’s a testament to the songwriting that manages to keep the message of love and hope alive and vibrant amongst the emotional collapse of the musical surroundings.
Closing track “Sister Song” is Perfume genius at his most sparse. A gospel ode to a sibling/best friend/soulmate sung in a tone so hushed you can hear the creak of piano pedals as Hadreas plays.The piano is Perfume genius’s solace, his best friend and muse and the tenderness of the relationship of artist and instrument has never sounded so deep and connected. That relationship can sometimes sound lost in modern music and it is always warming when that is reaffirmed.
File under “To be held close and never let go”.
http://www.matadorrecords.com/perfume_genius/ https://twitter.com/#!/perfumegenius https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perfume-Genius/101401299803
No comments:
Post a Comment