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HNAF: Perfume Genius Unveils ‘Glory’ — A Raw, Daring Triumph

  • March 28, 2025
  • 2 min read
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HNAF: Perfume Genius Unveils ‘Glory’ — A Raw, Daring Triumph
Perfume Genius, Glory, new album, Mike Hadreas, experimental pop, indie music, Blake Mills, Aldous Harding, Ugly Season, 2025 music, queer artists, album review, emotional pop, gothic Americana, leftfield pop, music news

Perfume Genius, the moniker of Mike Hadreas, has once again captivated listeners with his seventh studio album, Glory. This latest offering is a masterful blend of introspection and sonic innovation, solidifying Hadreas’ position as a fearless explorer of the human condition.

Crafted during the introspective period of the COVID lockdown, Glory delves into themes of anxiety, grief, and disconnection. Tracks like “No Front Teeth” and “It’s a Mirror” lay bare the raw vulnerability and tentative optimism that permeate the album. The former, featuring Aldous Harding, oscillates between restrained elegance and full-band thrash, creating a dynamic listening experience. The latter confronts agoraphobia with a gothic Americana sound, marked by muscular instrumentation and Hadreas’ confident vocals.

Collaborating with producer Blake Mills and longtime partner Alan Wyffels, Hadreas has sculpted a soundscape that is both expansive and intimate. The album’s production introduces unexpected, idiosyncratic twists—buzzing synths interrupt the transcendence of “Left for Tomorrow,” while “Clean Heart” balances twitchy percussion with incandescent keys. These elements coalesce to create a moody, detailed sonic journey that challenges and rewards the listener.

Glory also revisits and reimagines Hadreas’ earlier musical ventures. Echoes of the haunted songcraft from 2022’s Ugly Season are evident, with extended instrumental sections lingering like smoke from a forgotten cigarette. Yet, the album stands firmly on its own, offering a fresh perspective on timeless concerns.

Glory is a testament to Perfume Genius’ unwavering commitment to artistic evolution. It invites listeners to navigate the uneasy coexistence of fear and beauty, suggesting that embracing this duality is integral to a whole and meaningful life. With this album, Hadreas not only confronts his own anxieties but also offers a mirror for others to reflect upon their own, making Glory a resonant and exhilarating addition to his discography.

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Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is an accomplished promoter, event planner, producer, activist, counselor, poet and blogger. Within the course of two and a half years Chris Ryan has worked with some of NYC's most established promoters/event planners, been named 2007′s GaySocialite of the year, granted a promoter of the year award from NYC's most famous gay establishment, Splash. He's worked in some of NYC's top venues including; Avalon, Capitale, Cipriani, Cielo, Pacha, Element, Le Poisson Rouge, XL, G Lounge, Plumm, Hilton Hotel, Indigo Hotel, Spirit, Myst/Quo, Splash, The Ritz, Vlada, Roseland Ballroom, Heaven, etc.In 2008, Chris Ryan has begun to unveil some of the most innovative & unique parties New York City has ever seen. The Fusion events "fuse" together all disciplines of art into an event that remains diverse yet cohesive at the same time. ChrisRyanNYC.com won best gay promotions website from NYC Event Patrons in 2008 & he was granted an award from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Gov. Patterson & Michelle Clunie (QAF) saluting him for his hard work in nightlife. Chris Ryan has also begun working with many renown companies, including; doctors, lawyers, physicians, modeling agencies & more. Chris Ryan has been responsible for wide-scale promotions for all these companies & generating tremendous business. Chris Ryan has even started to become National with events taking place in LA & Miami this year.In May of 2009 Chris Ryan received the very prestigious honor of being named a "40 Under 40″ Gays in America by the Advocate Magazine. He also created three successful parties that generated over 1,500 patrons each. In January of 2010 Chris Ryan was featured as one of the top promoters to look out for in Noize Magazine Chris Ryan joined forces with legendary promoter/event producer, Lee Chappell and created one of the most talked about events of all 2010, Desire @ Capitale. Chris Ryan and Lee featured one of the most outstanding artists NYC has ever seen, "Oh Land." Her performance coupled with an exquisite and unforgettable set design added to this extravagant event that held over 1,000 patrons in one of NYC's most successful PRIDE events! Chris Ryan then joined forces with legendary Pacha promoter, Rob Fernandez in addition to Jake Resnicow and Tommy Marinelli to bring one of the largest and most successful parties worldwide to NYC, MATINEE. The event on Governor's Island saw over 2,000+ attendees and one of the most ambitious productions ever.In 2011 Chris Ryan started Emerge Music Promotions with business partner Darren Melchiorre. Emerge Music promotions began signing artists with plans to develop and market the artists to the community at large. Emerge Music promotions has big events planned for 2012 and 2013. Chris Ryan debuted the IMAGE events which took place on top of two of NYC's most beautiful rooftop venues, Rare View and Indigo Hotel. The events were blogged everywhere and featured the fashion designs of several clothing designers, artists and photographers. Chris Ryan felt that fashion and art should be displayed at every event and attracted the likes of Malan Breton, Calvin Klein and even Katy Perry. Chris Ryan began an extremely successful event which incorporated the concept of a house party into a nightclub atmosphere. The event Twist'D at G Lounge has been one of the most talked about events in NYC and allows it's audience to play nearly-naked Twister, beer pong, flip cup & more with other attendees. Chris Ryan was granted an excellence in volunteering award from AVP (Anti-Violence Project) for all his efforts in supporting the organization.2013 has a very promising landscape on the horizon and Chris Ryan is complacent in saying "you haven't seen anything yet!"

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