Perfume Genius, “Ugly Season”

Reading Time: 3 min read

In the 36th edition of LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 (2022), we highlight the song, “Ugly Season” performed by Perfume Genius.

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”B” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]Bring on the B-O-P-Z, like #SLAYYY! LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 is a column that embraces, highlights, and celebrates singles and tracks by LGBTQIA musicians. On LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶we provide background info and insight into the respective musician(s), as well as analyze + go gaga over the bops being served up. Furthermore, when the music dictates deeper, more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is articulated to the fullest. All styles of music are welcome and the BOPZ can be classics or brand-spanking new. So, without further ado, in the 36th edition of LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 (2022), we highlight 🎵 “Ugly Season” performed by 🎙 Perfume Genius.[/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

Theme & Lyrics ✍

“I’m hideous / Raving / Feeling my fantasy.” Oh, snap – it’s 🎵 “Ugly Season”! “Ugly Season” appears as the sixth track on 💿 Ugly Season, the sixth studio album by 🎙 Perfume Genius (🎙 Mike Hadreas). Hadreas definitely hits different on this experimental, avant-garde highlight. Musically, “Ugly Season” has a quirky, reggae vibe. The record feels dirty and horny intentionally – incredibly left of center. Furthermore, it feels very queer – also, intentional, and we would not have it any other way.

Mike Hadreas serves up a performance that is unrefined and not concerned with elegance, finesse, or pitch for that matter. One must listen closely, ideally with the lyrics in front of you, to fully comprehend what he is singing. Early on, as the first verse suggests, the ugliness is front and center. He follows up with an even more sus pre-chorus, asserting, “Turned from God / Sick with rot / Thick as Vaseline / Knee deep and filthy.” Woo! The Vaseline lyric just feels scandalous, doesn’t it? Intentional, again. “Bitch, it’s ugly season,” he asserts in the chorus, “And I love it.” “Ugly Season” will turn off those who do not support the LGBTQ+ community, given its embrace of lust and being true to self, but for everyone else – it is utterly fascinating. The post-chorus is the section to beat, with its ear-catching lyrics. Furthermore, melodically, it serves as the most tuneful section of the record:

“Notice the tongue

Notice the shape

Don’t look away

Notice the tongue

Split, black, pit

Notice the tongue.”

Final Thoughts 💭

pride heart burst Perfume Genius is such a talented musician. “Ugly Season” shows a completely different side of him – one that is aggressive. The record thrives from both its experimental vibes and queerness. No, Mike Hadreas does not say anything that is explicitly LGBTQ+ but, c’mon – we all feel it! “Thick as Vaseline” solidifies it.