Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It

Back in 2010, the Perfume Genius debut ‘Learning’ was a beautiful eulogy to lost innocence, recorded by Mike Hadreas during his darkest moments. This marvellous studio-recorded successor is more expansive but no less affecting. While aspects of the rough-cut majesty of ‘Learning’ are lost, the new songs are permitted oxygen and clarity. Hadreas’ mournful vocal now sparkles with a subdued optimism. On the gorgeous ‘Dark Parts’, Hadreas soothes that “he’ll never break you, baby”, while ‘Take Me Home’ flirts with gospel and the glimmer of salvation. ‘Put Your Back N 2 It’ is an album that offers hope - Perfume Genius can cleanse your soul.

8/10

Words by JOHN FREEMAN