Excellent album, torturé mais brillant, mélancolique mais mélodique. Un vrai talent qui s'exprime d'une manière variée mais avec une cohérence d'ensemble.
If there has ever been and instrument that stood the test of time it has been the piano. For ages, musicians have found new ways to reinvent the same instrument that was played 200 years ago. And sadly, real playing is starting to dwindle to just backround piano to a more complex song wrapped around electronics. But every once in a while an artist will come along such as Mike Hadreas and redefine the way I hear things.
At first, I wasnt exactly taken by the debut "Learning" by Perfume Genius. But honesty, who could blame me. Its been a while since I heard music such as this. I dont think i've heard this much heartbreak and honesty in songwriting since Elliot Smith. It borderline's almost deppression but you feel almost overwhelmed by the song writing you forget the topics of the songs themselves and just become lost. The opening song "Learning" sounds like preperation for the songs too follow and letting you settle slowly into the mood of the entire album. "Look out, Look out" takes a moment to pull at the heartstrings then tugs hard around half way. "Mr Peterson" and "Write to your brother" almost gives it a jaunty feel and seems to be the happy high point of the album, until you listen to the words it speaks of something entirly diffrent.
Another beautiful addition to the album is that he does have some more almost organ/synth like songs in hear like "Gay Angles" and my Personal Favorite " No problem". The closing song "Never Did" leaves you with the idea " Its all a part of his plan" and " Its all just in his head".In alot of ways, this is true. Its hard to describe music thats so personal to the artist. It leaves listener thinking of there own personal lives, even if its only for a brief time. The album is very short, only leaving you with little over 30 minutes. But Mike Hadreas "Perfume Genius" is 26 and it makes you wonder how many unheard songs that we have still to look forward too, and how the future really looks bright.
My favorite thing about this album is that it almost seems wrong to be hearing it. It's like we're hearing this guy's innermost deep dark secrets, and if we're not careful, he's going to catch us listening to his audio diary. Some of the lyrics are downright creepy, which is good. It's part of the appeal. Musically, there's not a great deal going on, but that's okay.I wouldn't have it any other way. Piano and keyboard music and sounds go great with some of the most touching words I've ever heard in music. If there were more instruments, it probably wouldn't be as great. 5 stars, for sure.