Bingkai Karya– Mike Hadreas, known by his stage name Perfume Genius, has released a new single called “Clean Heart” ahead of his seventh studio album Glory, which came out on March 28, 2025, through Matador Records. This new song brings a message of hope and healing, combining emotional lyrics with a beautiful and wordless chorus. It reflects the idea that time can heal wounds and that there is always hope for something better.
“Clean Heart” follows the earlier release of two other singles from the album: “It’s a Mirror” and “No Front Teeth”. Both songs have received high praise from critics. “It’s a Mirror” was chosen as a Best New Track by Pitchfork and praised for its confident sound and emotional lyrics. The song mixes strong melodies with themes of self-reflection, and it marks a return to more direct and bold musical expression for Hadreas. Meanwhile, “No Front Teeth” features folk artist Aldous Harding and is described by critics as a psychedelic rock journey. The music video, directed by Cody Critcheloe, presents a surreal and intense dream-like experience.
The album Glory continues Perfume Genius’s tradition of creating music that is both deeply personal and artistically bold. It explores important themes such as the body and its fragility, romantic and domestic life, identity, and the quiet struggles of everyday existence. According to Hadreas, the album is about the tension between our inner and outer worlds. It is also a more collaborative effort, with greater involvement from his band members and longtime collaborators Blake Mills and Alan Wyffels.
Hadreas describes Glory as his most emotionally honest album yet. However, instead of using direct storytelling, he tells his stories through characters and short scenes. Each track introduces a new character or situation—ranging from romantic relationships, like in “Me & Angel”, to friendships and heartbreak, as in “Full On” and “Hanging Out”. These songs offer a mix of vulnerability, humor, and imagination that make Glory feel both intimate and powerful.
Musically, the album covers a wide range of styles—from soft acoustic melodies and elegant ballads with instruments like the flute and celeste, to louder rock anthems like “It’s a Mirror”. The emotional variety and musical richness show the maturity of Hadreas as both a performer and songwriter.
To support the album, Perfume Genius will go on a major North American tour, starting on May 12 in Healdsburg, California, and ending on June 27 in Portland, Oregon. Notable stops include The Fillmore in San Francisco, Brooklyn Paramount in New York, and The Showbox in Seattle—Hadreas’s hometown. He will also perform internationally, including a show at the C6 Fest in São Paulo, Brazil.
Perfume Genius began his career in 2008 and released his debut album Learning in 2010. Since then, he has gained a strong following and critical acclaim with albums such as Put Your Back N 2 It (2012), Too Bright (2014), No Shape (2017), Set My Heart On Fire Immediately (2020), and Ugly Season (2022). His music often explores themes of queerness, mental health, and identity, and he has become known for his expressive performances and artistic visuals.
With Glory, Perfume Genius offers not just another album, but a powerful message of growth, self-acceptance, and creative freedom. In his own words, this album is about finding “quiet glory”—not in loud celebration, but in becoming a more complex, experienced, and loving version of yourself.
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