''Too Bright'' is the third studio album by American singer Perfume Genius, released on September 23, 2014. The album reached number 77 on the

UK albums chart The Official Albums Chart is the United Kingdom's industry-recognised national record chart for album, albums. Entries are ranked by sales and audio streaming. It was published for the first time on 22 July 1956 and is compiled every week by the O ...

and peaked at number 83 in the United States

Billboard 200 The ''Billboard'' 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists. Sometimes, a rec ...

Critical reception

''Too Bright'' has received critical acclaim.

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, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, gave the album an average score of 87, which indicates "universal acclaim". Brandon Stosuy of ''

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'' gave the album a very positive review, stating, "A huge part of what makes the work so strong is the generous human spirit that bleeds into it, and ''Too Bright'' is the best example to date of the lengths he goes to confront his fears and demons. These songs feel less like songs and more like treasures, ones that fill you with power and wisdom, and as a result, ''Too Bright'' seems capable of resonating with, comforting, and moving anyone who's ever felt alienated, discriminated against, or "other-ized," regardless of sexual orientation." The album was given a score of 8.5 and was titled Best New Music.

Artwork

The album artwork was shot by Luke Gilford and it showcases an androgynous Perfume Genius. It would encompass a bold and proud theme throughout ''Too Bright''.

Conception and development

In an interview for ''Refinery29'', Perfume Genius said, "I don’t know, for a long time I had been kind of constantly seeking reassurance and acceptance all over the place, and wanting to be taken seriously but waiting for someone else to do it for me, do you know what I mean?.” He explains that this was a more serious approach to making this album. ''Too Bright'' further explores topics on sexuality, empowerment, and queer identity.

Track listing

Personnel

Main personnel * Mike Hadreas – vocals, piano (1, 4, 6, 10), synth (3, 7, 9, 10), keyboards (2, 8), gong (5), handclaps (8), wurlitzer (11), composer, additional recording * Adrian Utley – synth (2, 3, 5, 7, 8), bass guitar (2, 3, 5, 11), guitar (1, 11), winebox (5), fuzz bass (7), handclaps (8), engineer, mixing, producer * Alan Wyffels – synth (3, 4, 8, 10), keyboards (2, 5), piano (6) * Jim Barr – double bass (3, 4, 6) * Herve Becart – drums (3, 5, 8) * Ross Hughes – bass clarinet (3, 4, 10), saxophone (7) * John Parish – drums (2, 7, 8, 11), shaker (5) Additional personnel * Greg Calbi – mastering * Ali Chant – engineer, mixing, producer, handclaps (8) * Alison Fielding – design * Luke Gilford – photography

Charts

Pop culture

*"Too Bright" was featured on the ABC

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'' How to Get Away with Murder's'' second season finale. *"Queen" was featured in the season one episode "eps1.3_da3m0ns.mp4" and season four episode "Hello, Elliot" of the

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television series '' Mr. Robot''. *"Queen" was featured on the

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television series '' The Great'' in the season two episode titled "Heads It's Me". *"Queen" was featured as the closing song for the

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series " Vice Principals" season 2 episode "Think Change". *"Queen" was featured as the closing song for the Apple TV+ series ''

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'' season 1 episode 7 "In the Fires of Dead Stars".

References

{{Authority control 2014 albums Perfume Genius albums Matador Records albums LGBTQ-related albums Lo-fi music albums Albums produced by Adrian Utley