Perfume Genius, the musical project led by Mike Hadreas, is stepping back into the spotlight with the announcement of his new album, Glory, set for release on March 28 via Matador. After a year spent reflecting on the legacy of his breakthrough album Too Bright, Hadreas unveils the haunting single “It’s A Mirror,” the first glimpse into this new chapter of his career. In his characteristically introspective style, Hadreas describes the song as capturing the sensation of waking up overwhelmed, even when nothing specific is happening—a familiar feeling of self-imposed isolation and internal turmoil. The lyrics explore the difficulty of confronting one’s own thoughts, even when they are largely unchanged from past struggles. Musically, the track is sparse yet evocative, with a slow, creeping intensity that mirrors the emotional struggle at its core.
The themes of Glory reflect a deepening of the emotional landscapes Hadreas has explored in past albums. Press materials describe the record as dealing with “the body and its decay, of domesticity and love, and of inescapable history and damage.” It’s an exploration of coming to terms with past trauma and finding a way to live in the stillness that follows. With Glory, Hadreas has crafted an album that’s both intimate and expansive, reflecting the emotional complexity of life after struggle. Tracks like “No Front Teeth,” featuring Aldous Harding, promise a collaborative element that will add further richness to the album’s textured sound.
In addition to the album announcement, Perfume Genius revealed plans for a tour this spring, kicking off in May. Fans can expect an emotionally charged performance that will bring the album’s reflective tones to life on stage. As always, Perfume Genius is poised to take listeners on a deeply personal journey, offering both beauty and vulnerability in equal measure.