Perfume Genius: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубликовано: 18 июн 2017
- 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:
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/no-...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/No-Shape-Perfu...
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.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti... 
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Has anyone else though about the fact that Tiny Desk concerts are the new MTV Unplugged sets?
I feel like it must be hard to work at NPR if there are always tiny desk concerts happening
@Mars how do you even quantify that?
@Mars honestly that’s a super valid opinion. Tiny desk is definitely more.. humble, I’d say. It’s like as intimate as you can get while still remaining “platonic”. Unplugged definitely crosses that line in a good way.
@@scottyslearningcorner6080 npr has different offices
I get where your coming from but tiny desk has integrity
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!
great description
Those are my favorite voices. Thank you for putting it into words.
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.
yes!!!
Yesssssssssss
hes unapologetically
himself and does what he loves. alot more
than we can say for most of you here
Hey, if he wants to be known for a distracting shirt, that is his choice!
@@partypiano0729 he's known for great music though
partypiano0 Only in your tiny, average mind is he known for a “distracting” shirt... go find a talent dumbass
partypiano0 and yet he is 1000000x more talented than you’ll ever be.
woa jeez why the attack at me my comrade ouch
Mike Hadreas is a national treasure. Every one of his albums somehow tops the previous one.
His discography is very uplifting, however sad many of the songs are. Like he's rising triumphantly, without disassociating himself, from an incredibly difficult past.
ieatblletsomnom v
He's originally from Belgium ;)
Sorry if this comes off as being a "hipster cock" but I think his first two records are extremely raw and open and emotional in a way I haven't seen elsewhere. Especially his first album Learning, which really got me through a lot of shit. There's a lo-fi soul-bearing that happens in those early records that's really endearing. His first is still my favorite because it's so personal to me.
His third and fourth records are really sonically adventurous and the production is so tight yet airy they sound amazing. I also think personally that his voice brings a really unique quality to the music that I connect with. But that's more subjective I suppose.
As a whole, his body of work is also interesting because it sort of represents the process of grief and healing. His first record as I said, is really dark and emotional and honestly hard to get through for me at times. His second is more contemplative, and reflective through the darkness. His third, is angry and driving and explosive. And His fourth is serene and uplifting. There's a kind of earned happiness in his latest that is only appreciated if you listen to each of the albums. And I think that's what's so special about Mike's latest work, he's an artist that I think can represent joy and happiness in his music without it being contrived, sugary, fake, or bullshit. (Generally reasons I hate "positive" or "happy music"). And for that matter he does a really great job elsewhere representing other emotions in full honesty, nothing restrained.
Would've bet he was a bottom
no wonder our species is evolving so slowly when people can't cope with how someone wears their shirt. loved this.
havent seen a single person in the comment section say that. but i see a sea of comments of overdefensive people like you distracting the listeners from focusing on his music.
I love how i see more comments complaining about ppl complaining about the shirt than actual complaints about the shirt.
Señor Everything trust me, they’re there, just scroll more
Ha. That's so right. They're the real people bothered.
Yo dawg, I heard you 'n yo dawg like yo-yos, so I put yo dawg in a yo-yo with a yo-yo so you can yo-yo yo dawg while yo dawg yo-yo-yos, dawg.
Because just as always, more recent comments come in and push the older ones down. I have to explain this to too many people...
@@snoozyq9576 it must get tiring being the only person alive with brain cells, huh? Such a big responsibility, your brain size must make it hard to walk.
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.
knowing mike and the keyboardist are a couple makes my heart happy
Finest comment I've read here so far. Thank you!
Listen to the song ‘Alan’ on their album ‘No Shape’. That’s the name of the keyboardist :)
There is an hosnesty in his eyes. I believe every word he sings.
For all of the people who are bothered by the shirt.......NEVER go near a Smiths or Morrissey video if you can't handle this
omg yessssssss
😍
what bothers me is that it blends in with his weird pants.
i havent seen a single person bothered by his shirt in the comments. i just see a sea of overprotective, smothering people like you defending a great artist who needs no defense.
Honestly that shirt looks so comfy
No doubt
I was just thinking "That would be so uncomfortable to have to half-wear a shirt like that!". But it's a good look for him
He's gorgeous. A mixture of sweetness, sadness and sensuality. The expressiveness of those blue eyes is almost disturbing. Fallen angel
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.
'No secret no matter how nasty can poison your voice or keep you from joy' genious
*genius
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
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.
Twinski I hope ur doing good :)
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.
mrtveenstra i love that about him, through his music he's exposing his vulnerability. It's so beautiful.
If you know Mike at all, he did say that he is people shy and there are many artists who are. This is why he looks down alot and coming into close contact with his audience makes him even more nervous thus he looks down or closes his eyes or after a song finishes he looks away.
Kinda like John Darniel. I love it
its just the singing style. hes not even slightly nervous. hes intense.
IGGY RECOMENDED THIS IT BROUGHT ME HERE! So those ticks make sense
0:00 - Valley
3:33 - Slip Away
6:24 - Normal Song
My favorite songwriter of the decade. Such simplistic songs but so poetic and emotive. Normal song and hood are masterpieces
hood is my favourite, take me home too
It looks like it takes soooo much energy to sound so fragile.
idkw but i cry everytime i listen to perfume genius
there's no way you can't cry when listening to his music
READ THIS AS I STARTED CRYING
Me. Too. It’s literally something that happens and my boyfriend is also aware. No one else, can’t listen around others. I went to see him in concert when he opened for The XX and he locked eyes with me and I swear he sang to me and I will never, ever forget it. (OKC, not a lot of woke people, I think he saw me tearing up and dancing so he gave me a sort of thumbs up)
Laura B same
@@jenicanaef9641 Perfume genius and the xx?? must have been the best concert ever!
He really is magical. Slip away is so good acoustic!
agreed! though this isn't technically acoustic haha
Chance Utter we'll call it stripped down.
Slip away is so perfect and powerful, this version is incredible!
please tell me how.. all i hear is a person who can't sing, who might stab you but not fight, and who can't play.. well anything.. .. am i missing something??
yea id say thats about right chad campbell
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.
Channeling that 1980s Smiths Morrissey here with that shirt. love love love
I've found Perfume Genius to be a gateway to other excellent music through his collaborations. He got me into Weyes Blood, Cate Le Bon, Christine and the Queens and Sharon Van Etten. Cheers Mike!
It was Christine who brought me to Perfume Genius! From one direction or another, I guess there's a definite parallel 🙂
same!
I actually found him through Christine and the Queens, when he featured on Jonathon. From then on I've been hooked. I feel lucky to have witnessed his progression as an artist.
I played with him the same night in Milan with my band ‘Slowtide’ some years ago at the Linecheck music festival. Such a Blast! Really an amazing person with a lots of energy on stage! And what a voice. That night there was Moses Sumney too and the day after Thundercat. Man time flies already. Thank you for the memories
A girl from tinder brought me here and I think we're going to do just fine
Wanting update 😝
@@snoozyq9576 same honestly
oliver! mate, we need an update
hope it worked out
ok I want to know too
This version of Slip Away is so good. Valley is an all time fave. This music speaks directly to my heart. Thank you Mike 🙏🏻
his voice is so gentle and i just wanna hold it in the palms of my hands
The people giving this a thumbs down have to be on really bad drugs.....listening to his albums is likened to watching the sun rise
What is so great about watching the sun rise?
Just kidding :D I get what you are saying.
Yessssssssssss
I agree and to see then live for the first time and never even having heard of them was nothing less than a majestic beauty!!!
They rocked my soul soooooo hard!!! I was pumped up for months after that show!!!
No words for how much I appreciate and respect this man. Read about his life. He turned everything into beautiful music that makes you feel seen and heard. Bless you, sir.
Normal Song always makes me cry
This acoustic Slip Away version is just perfect.
honestly mike is serving Looks in this video the off shoulder shirt is iconique
Absolutely
Just heard No Shape for the first time last week and fell in love, now there's a Tiny Desk concert? So good.
First time listening: hated so much. But for some reason i came back and gave it another chance. I know how this type of music works is something that take you slowly and some day you are totally addicted to it
i revisit this at least once a month. his voice is so beautiful and i love these versions of valley and slip away. such a gifted human.
Lyrics
Song 1: Valley
Thought I saw you
Payphone on Rucker
Michelle I still want to give in
I'd understand if you did
How long must we live right
Before we don't even have to try?
Note from your daughter
Drawing of three flowers
I still keep it with me
Did she still want to sing?
How long must we live right
Before we don't even have to try?
I hear the sound of a million drums
With no beat
Violins with no melody
I'm sick with it
Quiet
I don't blame you for wanting out
I'm kind of close myself
No love, no amount
Never enough to go around
Song 2: Slip Away
Don't hold back, I want to break free
Cause it's singing through your body
And I'm carried by the sound
Every drum, every single beat
They were born from your body
And I'm carried by the sound
Oh, ooh love
They'll never break the shape we take
Oh, ooh
Baby let all them voices slip away
Don't look back, I want to break free
If you'll never see 'em coming
You'll never have to hide
Take my hand, take my everything
If we only got a moment
Give it to me now
Oh, ooh love
They'll never break the shape we take
Oh, ooh
Baby let all them voices slip away
No caressing, no caressing
No caressing, no caressing
No caressing, no caressing
No caressing, no caressing, no
Oh, ooh love
They'll never break the shape we take
Oh, ooh, no love
They'll never break the shape we take
Oh, ooh, love love
They'll never break the shape we take
Oh, ooh
Baby let all them voices slip away
Song 3: Normal Song
Hold my hand
I am afraid
Please pray for me
When I am away
Comfort the girl
Help her understand
No memory
No matter how sad
And no violence
No matter how bad
Can darken the heart
Or tear it apart
Take my hand
When you are scared
And I will pray
If you go back out there
Comfort the man
Help him understand
That no floating sheet
No matter how haunting
And no secret
No matter how nasty
Can poison your voice
Or keep you from joy
love how important the harmonies on slip away are, mike is such a wonderful and inspiring songwriter
His way of singing and facial expressions remind me a lot of Anohni. Love them both ❤️
Love these guys! Their album _Too Bright_ is absolutely wonderful
Mvrius well Perfume genius is one guy but the band in this vid were great ya
Erich Schnekenburger ah yeah I thought so, too, but then this video threw me off
Just saw his show in San Francisco. Pure Magic!!! the entire team is amazing. find him on tour now. thank you perfume genius!
The first time I heard P.G. was in a commercial featuring "Normal Song", I loved the soft voice and the ethereal background music. I searched and searched to find out who this amazing song/sound was by. It took me forever not being adept in technology but I needed that song. I finally found it and the amazing, incomparable Perfume Genius. I have since downloaded every song, record, video and concert footage I could find. Let me just say that there is not one song or performance I am not mesmerized by. I play all of P.G.'s music all the time, in my apartment, my car, when I'm walking in the park or at the beach I cant get enough of Perfume Genius and Michael Hadreas. The song Alan is one of my favorites besides the new Queer anthem Queen! I love ALL of P.G.'s material. But when I hear him sing " did you know it, we sleep in the night, everything's alright, you you need me rest easy I'm here I'm weird... make me believe in some secret life you need me rest easy I'm here I'm weird, we all want that special someone to say this to us. We all want to feel safe. P.G. has made me sing, dance, cry and feel again. For that I am forever grateful to P.G., Michael, Alan and the rest of the band and that little commercial I heard "Normal Song" in. Thank you guy's for getting me to sing, dance, feel and cry again. Amen!
beautiful story, and i'm glad mikey is making that commercial money, but lmao what commercial was using his music?
i love that he claps for his band after each song
I love him so much. So soulful and emotional. He is an amazing writer
fooking brilliant
What an enigmatic performer. Full of soul and love. Amazing
So much gay bashing, it makes me chuckle. He's a stupidly good songwriter, I think that's the only thing that's important here. Stop listening with your eyes.
I was listening to this while doing other stuff. So I only heard it, I think his voice is extremely weak and the songs are uninteresting and boring. But that's just my personal opinion. Awesome if you like it of course.
But am I gay basing because I don't like it? I don't think so.
Wasn't aimed at you Captain. Just have a scroll through the comments, it's quite plain to see. I recommend listening to his album Too Bright.
There's also a chance some of them have been deleted. I can't see many now, only funny ones.
Hadn't even looked at the video yet, but the fact that you're mentioning it shows you aren't just listening to the music and instead you're indulging in the comments :P
tight. voice is light, mebbe. watchu talkin bout?
Lovely ballads delivered so delicately, like lace.
Everything, every movement, every note is endearing. He is just light, and love. Exceptional.
Just saw them live in Berlin and I am absolutely blown away! Such a talented group and I am so glad they still play in cosy venues in Europe.
Elliott Smith and Sufjan Stevens had a kid, who grew up listening to Belle and Sebastian, and then made a tiny desk concert, and it was great
I listen to this and feel like his voice is hugging me.
Beyond ecstatic I found Perfume Genius. Thanks, Tiny Desk -- this set is pretty much daily required listening for me. A necessity during these surreal times. Mike Hadreas is an incredible talent.
To everyone who thinks this is a parody or just bad, I respect your opinion and hold it high, as you should. But a parody? It must be a damn good parody to be considered one of the best albums last year by multiple critics.
His voice does so well in this kind of setting. Absolutely in love with these songs and Mike's skill as a songwriter is made brilliantly clear in this concert.
OMG I love you guys! this is wonderful ♥
everything in this video screams "perfection"
I feel like I'm watching what my heart break feels like while watching him perform, so delicate.
Oh Mike, your music has been to me like a warm kitten to caress through years of cry and laughter, joy and sadness and much more.
Thank you since the very beginning, you are precious to me
Such a beautiful creature. We're so blessed to have him.
Very rarely do you see an artist sing with so much passion in their eyes. Amazing.
damn you Perfume Genius you made me cry😢
Sammie Sparkle I know! All the feels!
Sammie Sparkle I cry almost every time I hear the bridge for Valley... Watching him do it "live" - I was in tears the whole song, sobbing at the bridge. Oh my god. So many feelings. If I can touch the hearts of anyone with my music even 10% of this, that would be amazing. Bless you Perfume Genius, so thankful for your music.
"No secret, no matter how nasty, can poison your voice", oh jeez, it's gorgeous. This man is a poet. I am so happy that he has been able to make it to this level, so that people like me can have access to this. Yay internet!
I can't believe how many of y'all are watching this, listening to this, and complete missing it, because the display of a non hyper-masculine male body is blowing your basic as fuck minds - beyond the point of even being able to form a decent opinion about the music. I am genuinely surprised. You guys are going to miss a lot of almost everything happening everywhere if you can't get used to queer faces.
Not everyone is going to enjoy the same music. Your basic as fuck mind needs to understand that. If people like more masculine music, let them be. THAT is how you should be thinking.
Don't tell people how they should be thinking. Duh.
Don't tell people what they should do. Duh. If you're gonna preach, practice it.
Ya know, there are gonna be negative people no matter what. It is NEVER going to change. Plus how would anyone understand how good something was if you didn't have the bad. You just have to get over it. It's a comment and they're likely not going to change as a person with how strongly they felt about his gayness. The only thing you can change is you and your attitude. Why do I even mention it? Because I think you can do it.
Lindsey, your intent is admirable, but your execution is counterproductive. Truly.
imagine having this voice sing you to sleep at night~
My current obsession. I adore Perfume Genius.
A few months ago RUclips put “Slipping” on my feed and I loved it. I’m loving the acoustic performance. ❤️ I love his expressiveness. Good singing isn’t just notes, it’s communication.
...”Normal Song”...😭
Honestly I came here for slip away and he didn't disappoint loved every min of it ❤❤ his voice gives me chills
I love so much of the content the NPR put up, but there is something about this that I find enchanting and I always find myself returning to it
I hadn't heard any live performances of Slip Away that I liked nearly as much as the recording, but this one is gorgeous!
Such good music, a thoughtful and economic arrangement/ensemble, and a great performance and recording. Thank you :)
bro if i see anyone dissing perfume genius i am gonna have to cyberbully them i will not stand to see such homophobia against such a genius
His voice has the power of ripping my heart out ❤️😩
I really love the harmonies at 4:53 . . . first song took me a bit but this is definitely a band I'd see play at a coffeeshop, or listen to on a road trip. Very chill vibes
About time he was on here! Absolutely fantastic!
I love Tiny Desk...I'm introduced to so much music that I wouldn't have known about, otherwise. This was the most surprising--in a good way--and the most moving of any I've listened to. I was in tears about to do the 'ugly cry' at the end. I've rarely witnessed such vulnerability and honesty and obviously the words and music touched a difficult place to access in me. Thank you!!!
So talented. And I love how he sings with his whole body.
Can we get Xiu Xiu?
rowanaj xiu xiu might be too sad and odd for a tiny desk concert. But their new album might be my aoty.
i would love a xiu xiu tiny desk concert, but yeah, it'd be strange, to say the least. and yes, forget is so good!
rowanaj I don't even know how a xiu xiu tiny desk would work
Y E S
P L E A S E
I love him, he's such a unique, talented, and quirky artist!
This entire performance is giving me goosebumps. It's so good!
Amazing unique artist and performer, his band always sounds amazing
Thank you for sharing your beautiful music. I just stumbled upon you and your band, but now I will look for you and follow you. This from an old lady who loves your delicate and deeply moving lyrics.
The music is beautiful. Hauntingly beautiful actually.
My heart ached the entire time. That was beautiful
YES. MIKE RULES
I found his music just randomly while listening to music at night. I’m so lucky…
I heard him first on KEXP in Seattle. I was hooked. That was 2010. I love his journey.
This music touches the spongier parts of my soul. I'm soaking it all in and moving my body accordingly.
I just discovered Perfume Genius less than an hour ago and I'm already in love. He is such an amazing songwriter
he has a magical sort of energy and when he does big stage performances, his dancing is so strange and entrancing and i love it in a weird way
woah this is amazing
there was a bit during slip away where you could see that he was smiling while singing. I imagine he realised how god damn good the performance was and that he was making something beautiful
I just love love love him... Stumbled upon him several years ago on a night like many, goin down the RUclips rabbit hole, and it was one of my greatest finds 🙌
Love his music! Saw him on stage opening for David Byrne and it was amazing!
Ridiculously beautiful and unique voice. Instantly recognizable
I luv luv luv him!! So raw and full of emotion, Normal Song made me cry. Bravo. Xoxo
The music video for 'Slip Away' is one of the most incredible works of art I've seen in the 34 years I've lived on this planet.
how am i just hearing this now!? ...beautiful captivating in their vulnerability.
He is so precious!!!! Beautiful voice I love it!