Perfume Genius

Michael Alden Hadreas (born September 25, 1981), better known by his stage name Perfume Genius, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Hadreas's indie music stylistically explores pop and rock with various influences and atmospheres. The themes in his music have included sexuality, his personal struggle with Crohn's disease, domestic abuse,

Early years Hadreas is of Greek descent and was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved to the suburbs of Seattle, Washington, at age 6 or 7. He studied painting in school and took piano lessons as a child. The moniker comes from the genius perfume-maker in Tom Tykwer's 2006 movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.

Career Early releases

Hadreas's debut album, Learning, was released on June 21, 2010, through Turnstile Records in Europe and Matador Records in the United States. Many of the tracks for Learning were recorded in Hadreas's home. the two would later date. Wyffels has continued to perform with Hadreas live and on recordings. Again, Hadreas received praise from music critics and fans alike.

The promotional video for the album, featuring Hadreas and pornographic actor Arpad Miklos embracing each other, was deemed unsafe for family viewing by YouTube.

In 2013 he featured on Cate Le Bon's album Mug Museum performing guest vocals on "I Think I Knew".

Too Bright

On September 23, 2014, Hadreas released his third album, Too Bright, which was co-produced by Adrian Utley of Portishead The album was a transformative leap for Hadreas and marked a new trajectory in his career. The album received rave reviews from an array of publications. Pitchfork gave the album an 8.5 and commented that "these songs feel less like songs and more like treasures, ones that fill you with power and wisdom."

Hadreas supported the album with a successful tour. On October 30, 2014, Perfume Genius appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing "Queen". In April 2015, Hadreas was featured on the cover and in the pages of Hello Mr.

Hadreas collaborated with Sharon Van Etten to contribute a cover of the Grateful Dead's "To Lay Me Down" to Day of the Dead, a charity tribute album curated and produced by members of the National and released by 4AD on May 20, 2016. All profits from the album supported the global fight against HIV/AIDS and related health issues through the Red Hot Organization.

On September 16, 2016, Hadreas released a cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" in collaboration with Prada. The song was featured in the ad campaign for Prada's La Femme and L'Homme fragrances.

No Shape

Hadreas was featured on the cover of the March/April 2017 issue of The Fader, which included a lengthy feature on Hadreas and his work on his next album. In the weeks following the article, Hadreas posted a number of video and audio clips teasing new music. On March 21, 2017, Hadreas announced his fourth studio album No Shape and released the first single "Slip Away", which was accompanied by a music video directed by frequent Björk collaborator Andrew Thomas Huang. The single was designated "Best New Track" by Pitchfork. On April 19, Hadreas released another single from the album called "Go Ahead" during a live Twitter Q&A with fans.

No Shape was released via Matador on May 5, 2017. It was produced by Blake Mills (Fiona Apple, John Legend, Alabama Shakes) and mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Shawn Everett. The album was praised by critics. Pitchfork awarded it an 8.8 and named it "Best New Album", deeming it "his most realized album yet, a tender and transcendental protest record of love and devotion." The Guardian commented that "No Shape sounds like a unique talent coming into full bloom."

On May 9, 2017, Hadreas released the video for "Die 4 You", directed by Floria Sigismondi. That same month, it was announced that Perfume Genius would curate a part of the line-up for Le Guess Who? Festival in Utrecht in November, for which he invited among others Aldous Harding, Mount Eerie, Weyes Blood, and Bulgarian women's choir Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares.

In 2019, the track Otherside was used in the trailer for the film The Goldfinch, adapted from the Donna Tartt novel of the same name.

Set My Heart on Fire Immediately and Ugly Season On February 25, 2020, Hadreas released the single, "Describe". On March 16, he released another single, "On the Floor". Both songs were included on his album, Set My Heart on Fire Immediately, released on May 15, 2020.

On June 17, 2022, Hadreas released his sixth studio album, Ugly Season. The album was originally composed as a musical accompaniment for choreographer Kate Wallich's contemporary dance piece The Sun Still Burns Here.

In February 2024, Hadreas contributed a cover of What a Diff'rence a Day Makes—produced by Jack Antonoff and originally popularized by Dinah Washington—to the soundtrack of the Apple TV series The New Look.

Glory On January 15, 2025, Hadreas announced his seventh studio album, Glory, and released the single, "It's A Mirror". The single was named "Best New Track" by Pitchfork. The album, released on March 28, 2025, was produced by Blake Mills, co-written with Hadreas's partner Alan Wyffels, and features artists including Aldous Harding, Jim Keltner, Meg Duffy, and Gregory Uhlmann. indie rock, baroque pop, indie pop, chamber pop, folk, pop, and glam rock.

Personal life Hadreas married long-time boyfriend and creative partner Alan Wyffels in 2025. Hadreas met Wyffels in 2009 through a mutual friend, and they started dating shortly after.

Awards and nominations Year !! Awards !! Work !! Category !! Result !! Ref.

Himself Best Pop Artist

Best Promo Video 2015 Dorian Awards Music Video of the Year

Music Week Sync Awards "I Can't Help Falling in Love" Best Sync Online Viral Advert Rober Awards Music Poll Himself Best Songwriter Best Art Vinyl No Shape Best Art Vinyl

Toyatathon 2016 Ad Spot Best Sync Usage

"Wreath" Video Contest Marketing Genius "Die 4 You" Video of the Year GLAAD Media Awards No Shape Outstanding Music Artist 2019

"Eighth Grade" Trailer

Goldfinch trailer

Best Male Artist

Songwriter of the Year "Describe" Best Music Video

Himself Best International Solo Act

Best International Album

Record of the Year

Creative Packaging Marketing Genius Himself Best Live Act "Describe" Video of the Year Queerty Awards "Jason" Anthem 2022 Best Art Vinyl Ugly Season Best Vinyl Art 2023 Grammy Awards "Spitting Off The Edge Of The World" (with Yeah Yeah Yeahs) Best Alternative Music Performance 2026 Grammy Awards Glory Best Album Cover Discography

Learning (2010) Put Your Back N 2 It (2012) Too Bright (2014) No Shape (2017) Set My Heart on Fire Immediately (2020) Ugly Season (2022) Glory (2025)