Perfume Genius - No Shape (Matador Records)
LP / CD /DL
Out Now
9/10
Review by Amy.
Matador are synonymous
with interesting music - a quick
look through their roster (past and present) quickly reveals their love of any
band/artist that is 'different' musically, and that challenge perceptions of how things 'should' sound as
well as the structural forms that songs should take - they don't subscribe to
the norm and Perfume Genius is a prime example of this. 'No Shape' is the follow up to 2014's
successful 'Too Bright', and in a way
the title is almost a summation of the
music on this album, and by that I mean, Mike doesn't just stick to one
formula or genre - this is by far a much more adventurous release than its
predecessors.
Overall, 'No Shape' is an ornate, sensual and honest affair,
there are nods to Rufus Wainwright, Queen, Kate Bush and even contemporaries
Tegan and Sara on occasion. There is a
fragility to Hadreas' voice that is only emboldened by the to and fro of sparse
minimalist instrumentation one minute to the decadent luxurious arrangements
the next. This is Chamber Pop at its
best, never too extravagant, never too sparse
- the balance here is almost perfection.
Things don't get too complicated or overbearing, instead Mike uses
atmosphere and texture to get his point across, don't get me wrong - this is an
emotionally challenging album. Perfume
Genius could've quite easily built on 'Too Bright' and delivered an even more
saccharine collection of songs that would've probably gained him more
commercial success, however, 'No Shape' delivers a left-hook that smacks you
straight between the eyes with tenderness and purity.
Standout tracks are
'Wreath', 'Sides' and 'Braid', the
former is a dark almost tragic sounding track than the rest, 'Sides'
glamorously stomps in and also features
Weyes Blood whose vocals really
do compliment Hadreas', 'Braid' will
then cover you head to toe in goose bumps.
The final track 'Alan' is a majestic tribute to Mike's partner and is a
perfect denouement.
For me 'Wreath' is where the album really begins to take
shape (no pun intended), each track builds on the other to delicately punch you
in the gut while ripping your heart out placing it on a velvet cushion while
you gratefully thank him for taking it from you.
This album will leave you feeling like you've added
'something' to yourself, it's certainly
an album that requests you spend time with it so you can fully digest all the
intricacies. To sum up, this is a
devastatingly beautiful, and stunning body of work.
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