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Perfume Genius Unveils Emotional Mastery in ‘Glory’

Perfume Genius’s new album ‘Glory’ delves deep into themes of self-acceptance, personal trauma, and the journey from darkness to light, showcasing Michael Hadreas’s outstanding musical talent.
By VIBING
In the realm of modern music, few artists can encapsulate raw emotion quite like Perfume Genius, aka Michael Hadreas. His latest album, ‘Glory,’ is a profound exploration of self-discovery and healing.

There’s no doubting Perfume Genius’s ability to portray emotion. His tentative vocal on the edge of cracking throughout the album, his falsetto on the title track ‘Glory,’ speaks to a performer exorcising demons in a softly cathartic manner, turning from heartbreaking introspection to a bright future free of personal trauma and inherited guilt.

The album’s soundscape feels like a journey from self-loathing to self-acceptance. Essentials like the crunchy guitar and jolting tempo changes of opener ‘It’s A Mirror,’ followed by Aldous Harding’s ethereal vocal on ‘No Front Teeth’ fused with an almost arena rock drumline, push Hadreas’s performance toward unshackling oneself from inherited guilt. This grittier soul makes way for 70s pop ballad ‘Me & Angel,’ Simon & Garfunkel-esque folk-pop novella ‘Full On,’ and swirling alt-pop heartbreaker ‘In A Row,’ mirroring Hadreas’s lengthy hike towards happiness.

Authenticity permeates the album, as stripped-back production and organic instrumentation breath life into the narratives Hadreas weaves through individual songs and the album’s wider context. While there are moments where the fairly thin, wiry sonic palette might leave you craving slightly more depth, for a fuller, swelling sound that drives Hadreas’ deeply emotional lyricism home, the unpretentious and understated musical choices typically allow space for his voice to soar, showcasing the sheer depth of feeling that continues to shape his impressive career.

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