Put Your Back N 2 It is the second release from Seattle-based solo act Perfume Genius. The album is terrifically sad, pairing poppy piano runs with dark, difficult subject matter and a shaking voice. Mike Hadrea only began writing music within the last few years, despite being in his early 30s. Still, Hadrea was not handicapped by his late start. Each song on Put Your Back N 2 It is a fully formed feeling. It is versatile and heartbreaking, recalling everything from Xiu Xiu to recent Arcade Fire. Hadrea’s tremulous voice is so hesitant and hurt you can’t help but be drawn into each song.
The song “All Waters” typifies Put Your Back N 2 It. It’s big, tender, and sorrowful. Orchestral synth sweeps under Hadrea’s voice, underlining each trembling break and sigh. Everything about this album is dark and strange, in spite of what is at times very standard poppy writing. The music video for the song “Hood” plays into this dynamic. As disturbing as it is entertaining, it features the porn star Arpad Miklos as a father/lover figure. Miklos, deadpan, pampers and preens Hadrea who is looking on helplessly at the camera. It’s sort of funny and sort of terrifying. Put Your Back N 2 It is like that; it has this incredible intimate force, like stumbling in on something you shouldn’t be hearing. Still, in spite of its rawness, you can’t quite pull yourself away.