Perfume Genius’s ‘Set My Heart On Fire Immediately’ Just Misses the Mark
Perfume Genius is an artist I should love. His music is a mixture of art-pop, shoegaze, and synthpop, he has a wide vocal range, and it tends to be dark and somber. It sounds like his music would be right up my alley.
But in reality, I don’t listen to him as much as I should. That’s not to say I haven’t liked his previous work. Too Bright is a fantastic project, and I am a fan of songs like “Slip Away” and “Queen.”
So, when I heard he was releasing a new record this year, I was hoping this would be the project that would get me into Perfume Genius, and for a while, it almost had me.
Set My Heart On Fire Immediately features lush production, lavish instrumentation, and personal and reflective stories. However, much like his previous work, this album does not have the impact that I was expecting it to have. At times this album even feels unorganized and inconsistent.
It’s a shame since I believe this record had a strong start. “Whole Life” begins with Mike Hadreas’s sobering statement, “Half of my whole life is gone.” It is enough to keep me invested, but it also offers a look into Hadreas’s subjective mind. Gorgeous, slow-moving strings and piano accompany his lyrics. Yet, it seems like the listener isn’t supposed to feel the full extravagance of this composition as Hadreas states that somber line again, pulling the arrangement back down to earth.
The following track, “Describe,” continues this grim atmosphere as it explodes with moody, shoegaze-y guitars and country-like plucking. The lyrics explore a darker side to Hadreas as it details his numbness and depression. The arrangement eventually gives away to an ethereal ambiance that is both beautiful and reflective of Hadreas’s desensitization. This track is the highlight of the album.
Given the nature of the first two tracks on this record, I was hoping for a darker and meditative project from Hadreas. While there are still moments like this, they are few and far between from tracks that feel like they belong on other projects.
After “Describe” concludes, sunny, twinkling guitars introduce the next song, “Without You.” This composition makes it sound like a fun, indie summer bop that’ll play on your radio as you’re driving with the windows down on a warm, clear day. However, the song’s lyrical content couldn’t be farther from that feeling as it deals with Hadreas’s body dysmorphia. This track feels out of place, considering the two songs that preceded it. The cherry on top is that this song sounds incomplete as it abruptly ends around the two-and-a-half minute mark.
The record jumps between moods making the overall tone inconsistent. It can hop from a quiet, slow, and somewhat eerie song like “Leave” to a cheery and fun tune like “On the Floor.” I’m not saying this structure doesn’t work either, as many have pulled this off before. I just don’t think Hadreas makes it work here.
My dissatisfaction with this record stems from wanting to hear more of the dark and ruminative material that Hadreas set up earlier in the record. There are some more moments in the latter half of the album. “Some Dream” explores sacrifices Hadreas had to make to become a musician. It’s another noisy, alt-country song, but with a twist. After the thunderous guitars die down, it morphs into an atmospheric baroque pop tune. It’s one of the only times a composition shifts seamlessly between movements.
“Nothing At All” also features booming, reverb guitars that build into a satisfying climax. The story isn’t as exciting as other songs, and the lyrics can get repetitive, but it’s a decent, passable song.
Unfortunately, everything else on this album feels unfinished or underdeveloped. I do appreciate songs that take their time to develop, but Hadreas’s compositions are tiresome and uneventful.
“Moonbend” is the worst example of this as the turtle’s paced movement of this track is agonizing, and I want nothing more than the song to be over. I can’t deny that the track has it’s moments, as the occasional woodwind, string, and vocal harmony are stunning.
My main issue with Set My Heart on Fire Immediately doesn’t come from how the music sounds, because most of the songs are beautifully composed and well-produced. The problems stem from how sporadic and disjointed the project comes off at times.
While I don’t think “On the Floor” fits this record, it’s a good, catchy track. It’s been stuck in my head since I first heard it. But to have it in the same album as the sensual and elegant “Jason” is baffling.
I’m sure Perfume Genius super fans will eat this album up, but it just falls to the wayside for me. The most compelling material came from Hadreas exploring that darker side of himself. Hopefully, he can thoroughly explore that in his next project.
For now, I’ll have to wait for that day to come.
Essential Tracks: “Whole Life,” “Describe,” “Jason,” “Nothing At All,” “Some Dream”
6/10