“Can disruption be beautiful?” is what author Ocean Vuong wrote in reference to Perfume Genius’ groundbreaking 2019 album Set My Heart On Fire Immediately. If you were to look through Perfume singer/songwriter Mike Hadreas’ catalogue of music and influence, all you would see is disruption: in aesthetic, sound, performance, and lyrics. This isn’t disruption in a negative connotation, but a disruption in the flow of how we can perform our body –– specifically, the queer body. All these aspects together show how Perfume Genius is one of the most prolific queer music projects of our contemporary time. 

The project started back in 2006 when Hadreas returned to Washington, where he began songwriting in his mother’s home. He garnered attention on MySpace, and after being paired with his longtime partner Alan, the duo began writing more music. The debut album, “Learning,” was quickly followed by “Put Your Back N 2 It.” Both albums were significant in establishing Perfume Genius’ deeply moving and sophisticated work and setting the narrative of Hadreas’ life. 

Over the years, Hadreas and Co. have made seven full-length studio albums and added various members to the band, such as Meg (known under the name Hand Habits), and have produced with Blake Mills (Portishead). With each successive album, the group pushes and disrupts the natural flow of what is expected from queer artists. 

Looking at their sixth album “Ugly Season,” the group disrupts the sound that they have crafted and shifts into a surreal and more unsettling list of songs demanding to be accompanied by a dance performance. “Ugly Season” is just one example of the group experimenting with their style while keeping a strong, coherent presence in the queer community, and it won't be the last.

The songwriting is another pivotal aspect of this group. Exploring themes of abuse, addiction, heartbreak, and desire, Perfume Genius’ songs often feel depressing; however, there’s a deeper, more nuanced level of intimacy in their songs that feels more comforting than sad. The intimacy emerges through the vulnerability of Hadreas’ voice and the listener. Complete and utter acceptance of Hadreas is involved in being able to understand and connect with the sound he and Alan have crafted. This is what makes the group a significant voice in the queer space; a voice that’s not afraid of the truth. Through this, disruption is created and dispersed. 

Sources: 

https://medium.com/@alexgfrank/how-perfume-genius-grew-up-and-started-thriving-291c3544a5a0

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/feb/16/perfume-genius-mike-hadreas

https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/perfume-genius-i-think-all-gay-men-are-used-to-people-saying-no-to-them-to-people-not-giving-them-choices-7069516/