Double bass and church organ roar beautifully in the opener “Just A Room”. Perfume Genius whines to the harp. And devoutly on a Björkesque bed of strings and woodwinds in “Herem”, which doesn’t just pull your socks off. Is the new orchestral sound still Perfume Genius? Or already Maestro Genius? After ten minutes a water-surging beat thumps through. If things are going well for an indie pop star and you dare something, you just do, as a side challenge, a classically inspired song cycle (like Tori Amos), a ballet (like Sufjan Stevens) or a dance theater piece (like now Perfume Genius ) with docked art house short film?
? Buy UGLY SEASON at Amazon.de
The order in which we now receive it, at least as Perfume Genius fans in Europe, is a bit backwards: because the music on UGLY SEASON is actually older than the super album SET MY HEART ON FIRE, IMMEDIATELY (2020): 2019, that is premiered the dance piece “The Sun Still Burns Here”, which Perfume Genius developed with choreographer Kate Wallich – and which he performed in Seattle, Minneapolis, New York and Boston.
Hopefully not just one season
Funny that a track is called “Pop Song” on this Perfume Genius’ least pop album. With its synth-sparking flanks, it seems like the fibrous seam-dance version of his 2020 dance-floor smash “On The Floor”. With all the dancing, one mustn’t forget that the intimate confrontation with one’s own (queer-desiring) body isn’t just a fun party. The title track “Ugly Season” moans up on dancehall reggaeton, a not exactly queer safespace before Arca in league with Rosalía.
“Eye In The Wall” climbs through the pulsating electro gloryhole. The mysterious, brass-packed “Photograph” would be the perfect Bond song, if only there was a queer Bond. Perfume Genius has never been further out of his comfort zone on an album than on UGLY SEASON. It’s the opposite of ugly. And hopefully not just one season.
SIMILAR REVIEWS
Now! :: Can songs be friends?
Songs free of irony and ready for discussion on the search for the right life in the wrong one.
Ibeyi :: Spell 31
True magic: incantation music somewhere between Electro, HipHop, Soul and Ethno.
Belle And Sebastian :: A Bit Of Previous
Solid indie pop entertainment that saves nights but not lives.
SIMILAR ARTICLES
Three albums you absolutely must hear this week
Three fantastic records this week: Hercules & Love Affairs new album IN AMBER, UGLY SEASON by Perfume Genius and UP AND AWAY by Σtella.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs announce new album – single with Perfume Genius streaming here
COOL IT DOWN is scheduled to be released almost ten years after its predecessor MOSQUITO.
Comeback: Yeah Yeah Yeahs release first new song in nine years
Their fourth and still current record MOSQUITO was released in 2013.
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