The ever-consistent Perfume Genius wows again with his authentic, emotional, and engaging single, “It’s a Mirror.”
Does Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas) ever miss? No. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about how great “It’s a Mirror” is. Hadreas penned it while Blake Mills produced it, playing multiple instruments and providing background vocals. One reason why the promo single from Glory is sensational is the hip, indie vibe. An alternative/art rock cut, “It’s a Mirror” stands out the first time you hear it. It features ear-catching musical accompaniment with multiple guitars, an overt drum groove, and piano. The harmonic progression contributes to the high level of musicality – more than three chords and the truth! Supported by a sweet instrumental, the ‘star of the show,’ Hadreas, delivers a strong vocal performance bringing the tuneful melodies to life.
The songwriting is the sugar honey iced tea – it’s given crème de la crème, baby! The lyricism is authentic, poetic, and thoughtful. Listening to Perfume Genius sing, you feel he bears his soul. “What do you get from the stretching horizon / That you’d leave me spiraling with no one to hold?” he sings in the first verse. In the second, he sings vulnerably, “I still run and hide when a man’s at the door.” I felt that. A short refrain highlighting the titular lyric appears after the first two verses. The chorus arrives after the second refrain, highlighting the keyword, mirror:
“It’s a mirror, holy terror
Taking focus off the horizon
It’s a chorus reaching for us
Swarming locusts wherever you go.”
A post-chorus follows. An instrumental break precedes the third and final verse which is also emotional (“Can I move on without knowing specifics / While memories hum like a hive shaken out”). A final chorus caps off “It’s a Mirror”, another stellar song from the ever-consistent Perfume Genius. The keyword is genius!
Perfume Genius // Glory // Perfume Genius / Matador // 3.28.25
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: Perfume Genius / Matador]