Learning is a ... bruised and suggestive affair; of catharsis and rare, redemptive beauty, which ranks as one of the most uniquely endearing and quietly forceful debut albums of recent years.
Within all the emotional turmoil, there’s a lot for the listener to love: Hadreas’ compelling, tremulous vocals for one, and the haunting nature of his plinky plonky piano skills. A fragile, fucked-up little wonder.
The name of the album itself represents someone coming to terms with things, with the world, with themselves. But more often than not Learning feels like a musical learning for Hadreas.
What a great and vulnerable debut. I love Perfume Genius and this is an amazing place to start. It doesn’t feel as well rounded as other albums but it doesn’t really matter because it feels like one of his most transparent albums.
I'll just start this off by saying that "Learning" is a very sad album. The rough presentation is a limitation, but I also think it works effectively in making the already sad atmosphere feel fragile. Mike's vocals are even more vulnerable here, with a cracking falsetto being the selling point. But the biggest plus to this short but sweet package is his already great songwriting. He writes with such pinpoint emotional potency and shares some heartbreaking stories about the way society ... read more
Goddamn this is beautiful
Despite its lofi nature, less than stellar production, and not knowing what Perfume Genius is saying without looking at the lyrics, I loved this. It's raw and emotional, which make those "cons" I mentioned, turn into pros. Reminds me a lot of early Car Seat stuff, which is the highest praise I can give. He pulls out some fantastic vocal melodies that keep you in this trance like state , along with the hypnotic pianos. Gay Angles is a track in particular that ... read more
the work is like a pile of letters sung to people in the singer's life, it's sad, as if it hurts with each passing track. The production is somewhat repetitive, different from the lyrical
Finished my First Listen. This was a vulnerable album & the production manages to create a sad atmosphere. There are some issues I have maybe they're an artistic choice, but the vocals sounded so distant from the production throughout, otherwise a pretty decent debut.
Favs: Lookout Lookout, Mr Peterson
Least Fav: When
1 | Learning 2:44 | 74 |
2 | Lookout, Lookout 2:57 | 81 |
3 | Mr. Peterson 2:52 | 80 |
4 | Gay Angels 4:05 | 78 |
5 | You Won't B Here 1:38 | 71 |
6 | Write To Your Brother 1:52 | 70 |
7 | No Problem 2:10 | 73 |
8 | When 3:32 | 71 |
9 | Perry 3:42 | 77 |
10 | Never Did 3:22 | 74 |
#4 | / | Drowned in Sound |
#9 | / | The Line of Best Fit |
#32 | / | DIY |
#45 | / | Stereogum |
#63 | / | NME |