album · May 15, 2020

Set My Heart on Fire Immediately

Perfume Genius

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art popindie rockalternative

Perfume Genius's 2020 release solidifies his status as a singular artist, blending moments of raw, cathartic intensity with ecstatic, danceable grooves. The album navigates themes of longing and carnal desire with an unflinching, often confrontational, honesty.

• Recorded in Los Angeles with co-producer Blake Mills, the album features a wide array of guest musicians including instrumentalists from Fiona Apple's band andessions with punk pioneers. The lead single, "On the Floor," was praised for its driving beat and Hadreas's uninhibited vocal performance. It charted at number 16 on the UK's Official Independent Albums Chart.
• "Set My Heart on Fire Immediately" was met with widespread critical acclaim, appearing on numerous year-end lists, and is often cited as a career highlight for its ambitious production and thematic depth. The album was recorded in Los Angeles, produced by Perfume Genius and Blake Mills.
• The album's title is a direct quote from a line in the 1987 film *Less Than Zero*, a reference that speaks to the record's exploration of intense, consuming emotions.

Mike Hadreas, as Perfume Genius, has become a defining voice in the art pop and indie rock scenes, known for his vulnerable and challenging explorations of identity and desire. By 2020, he had moved from intimate, piano-led compositions to a more expansive, synth-laden sound, positioning "Set My Heart on Fire Immediately" as a bold statement in his evolving career.