Perfume Genius: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Robin Hilton | June 12, 2017 — The music of Perfume Genius can be intense, shuddering with a breathtaking fragility — but also shimmying with self-assured defiance. The songs, much like frontman Mike Hadreas himself, are strong, but not hard. As he worked his way through two new tracks ("Valley," "Slip Away") and one older ("Normal Song"), there were moments that were both beautiful and unnerving, in no small part because the songs are so deeply personal. Hadreas, who years ago battled addiction and a parade of inner demons before finding love and an ever-expanding confidence, wrote much of No Shape as a love letter to his boyfriend (and Perfume Genius keyboardist) Alan Wyffels.

On "Valley," Hadreas reflects on the creeping past as he sings, "How long must we live right / before we don't even have to try?" On "Slip Away," he celebrates having emerged on the other side of darkness: "Don't hold back, I want to break free, God is singing through your body, and I'm carried by the sound." But Hadreas saved the most powerful moment for the final song, as guitarist Tom Bromley and percussionist Herve Becart stepped away from the Tiny Desk, leaving just him and Wyffels on keys as the two played "Normal Song," a profoundly moving plea for strength in the face of an always uncertain future. "Take my hand when you are scared and I will pray," sings Hadreas. "... And no secret, no matter how nasty, can poison your voice or keep you from joy."

The fourth full-length from Perfume Genius, No Shape, was released May 5 on Matador Records. The band's tour through the U.S. and Europe continues through the fall.

No Shape is available now:

Set List
"Valley"
"Slip Away"
"Normal Song"

Musicians
Mike Hadreas (vocals); Tom Bromley (electric guitar, vocals); Alay Wyffels (keyboards, vocals); Herve Becart (percussion)

Credits
Producers: Robin Hilton, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Bronson Arcuri; Editor: Morgan Noelle Smith; Photo: Raquel Zaldivar/NPR.

[sonyahannah]

He has a voice like spun glass: delicate, fragile, always in danger of shattering. Fascinating! Had never heard of him before reading an article in "The New Yorker." Glad I found him!

[Panzerkex]

Has anyone else though about the fact that Tiny Desk concerts are the new MTV Unplugged sets?

[silenthillmaster]

hes unapologetically
himself and does what he loves. alot more
than we can say for most of you here

[verityandstumclellan]

no wonder our species is evolving so slowly when people can't cope with how someone wears their shirt. loved this.

[taluulahbelle]

Such an amazing artist. I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert after Too Bright came out. He walked on stage wearing red lipstick, a dress, heels, and fishnets. The performance was beyond incredible. Loved every second. I love how brave he is with his music, with his clothes. True art takes courage. It challenges the norm and hits that raw emotion in your gut. That's what Perfume Genius is... a true artist. And this performance was brilliant.

[alejandroalvmar]

Mike Hadreas is a national treasure. Every one of his albums somehow tops the previous one.

[InstantRequestTV]

For all of the people who are bothered by the go near a Smiths or Morrissey video if you can't handle this

[frankoceazz]

he always looks like he's totally invested in his performances emotionally that he's almost about to cry and i just want to give him a big tight hug. OMG. he's so precious.

[mikes]

There is an hosnesty in his eyes. I believe every word he sings.

[senoreverything]

I love how i see more comments complaining about ppl complaining about the shirt than actual complaints about the shirt.

[deevism]

0:00 - Valley
3:33 - Slip Away
6:24 - Normal Song

[griffin]

knowing mike and the keyboardist are a couple makes my heart happy

[mrtveenstra]

Mike Hadreas moves as if he has nervous ticks from stage fright. He smiles as if he's using coping techniques to help him overcome a stressful situation. This is weirdly charismatic. He looks like he's bearing his soul on stage.

[Byrd]

I've never heard of this group before. His voice is so interesting and he has such a delicate and adorable presences. I enjoyed this.

[tellmewhy]

He's gorgeous. A mixture of sweetness, sadness and sensuality. The expressiveness of those blue eyes is almost disturbing. Fallen angel

[kesm]

Lost my Dad...over a year now. He introduced me to my love of music. He would come home each week with top ten hits & whatever he liked at the time (45s). So I heard everything from James Brown to Boz Scaggs. I’ve been listening to Perfume Genuis as of late—awesome singer & song writer...and band.

[mikemeek]

My favorite songwriter of the decade. Such simplistic songs but so poetic and emotive. Normal song and hood are masterpieces

[geoffhafner]

'No secret no matter how nasty can poison your voice or keep you from joy' genious

[jackienoel]

This performance is so tender and gentle and intimate and honest. When you hear him it's like he's signing straight to you, just FOR you. I feel like he's tucking me into bed I love him

[kayanina]

He' s absolutely fantastic. As a person, as a creator, as a singer, as a songwriter.
I see a kind soul. I don't see differences ; they don't interest me. I see beauty.