Set My Heart on Fire Immediately
by Perfume Genius
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: May 15, 2020
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 189 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 169 out of 189
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 189
  3. Negative: 7 out of 189
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  1. thgf
    May 22, 2020
    9
    The new album is undeniably their most mature, a record filled with incredibly dense ballads, where his voice is presented with more depth and range. It sometimes channels Roy Orbison (Whole life), Kate Bush (Without you) or even Cocteau Twins (Leave), but with a twist only him, this queer genius, could do.
  2. mitchcosta
    May 15, 2020
    10
    This album is just phenomenal. Intimate, passionate yet experimental. It’s got sounds reminiscent of each of his previous albums, but it’s a completely new body of work.
  3. Bambitheboy
    May 15, 2020
    10
    Deserves every bit of the praise it's receiving. Flows seamlessly despite all the varying styles within the album-- dreamy layered art pop to fuzzy shoegaze. Beautifully produced by Blake Mills, never feels bloated. One of the most satisfying listens of the year so far.
    Fav tracks: Moonbend, Leave, Jason, On The Floor, Borrowed Light, Some Dream
  4. xomurad
    May 15, 2020
    10
    I’m in awe by how laconic yet capacious his lyrics are. Not to mention the poetry and intimacy of it, backed by the softness of the music. And no skips whatsoever! This is a 10 baby.
  5. sebasorellana
    May 23, 2020
    10
    Amazing and exciting album. The best of the year or at least one of the best.
  6. Menios
    May 27, 2020
    9
    This album feels so intimate and sincere, with Perfume Genius offering some of the best ballads this year. Most of the songs in this album are so creative blurring the genre lines. Overall, it is for sure one of the best indie records of 2020 so far.
  7. SergioAllIndie
    May 20, 2020
    9
    The beauty of his music hasn't gone anywhere, neither the uniqueness, the frailty and the strength, the thoroughness, the will to expose himself and his feeling on such a way. Precious from start to finish. For the first 3 listenings, it could give you the impression that the line that separates this and his previous work is a little blurry (particularly, in relation to No Shape), butThe beauty of his music hasn't gone anywhere, neither the uniqueness, the frailty and the strength, the thoroughness, the will to expose himself and his feeling on such a way. Precious from start to finish. For the first 3 listenings, it could give you the impression that the line that separates this and his previous work is a little blurry (particularly, in relation to No Shape), but after that, Set My Heart on Fire Immediately shows to us its real face, and turns out that no, it's not that similar to No Shape, it's not less interesting than Too Bright, its production isn't one step behind. The only fact that Borrowed Light is the last track on this thing is enough statement that this album is probably his best work yet, and that he is, indeed, a Genius.… Expand
  8. ClassyDog
    May 17, 2020
    10
    Coming in I was expecting greatness and I was left with more than that. I didn’t expect this album to make me cry and make me feel so connected with every emotion he wanted me to feel. Fantastic album. Probably his best work yet and might be the best album I’ve heard in years.
  9. kami123
    May 15, 2020
    10
    Definitely my favourite album of him so far. While the album maintains his essence, it manages to show a much more mature and confident face of Perfume Genius.
  10. parthb
    May 30, 2020
    10
    What a phenomenal album, the music touches to your bones. Breathtakingly astounding.
  11. antymosphere
    May 18, 2020
    8
    [84]

    No último dia 15 de maio, Perfume Genius lançou mais um disco e dessa vez o intitulou de “Set My Heart on Fire Immediately”. Marcando mais uma era, Mike Hadreas mostra sua incrível capacidade como cantor e compositor, sempre destacando sua vida pessoal e as causas que ele defende. A abertura do álbum é suave, misturando o instrumental gentil com elementos do rock e shoegaze e    [84]

    No último dia 15 de maio, Perfume Genius lançou mais um disco e dessa vez o intitulou de “Set My Heart on Fire Immediately”. Marcando mais uma era, Mike Hadreas mostra sua incrível capacidade como cantor e compositor, sempre destacando sua vida pessoal e as causas que ele defende.

    A abertura do álbum é suave, misturando o instrumental gentil com elementos do rock e shoegaze e transmitindo um tom de psicodelia pela sua voz, como na faixa “Describe”, o trajeto que é seguido até o fim é semeado por diversos instrumentos e ritmos distintos. Hadreas consegue construir um ambiente muito agradável, usando essas vertentes instrumentais e sussurros tranquilizantes.
    Outras características bem utilizadas por Mike em seus outros trabalhos também aparecem aqui, como as leves referências da música medieval e clássica, aproveitando da harpa e de outros instrumentos doces para aromatizar o ambiente musical, além de trazer um pouco da música espanhola para o disco.
    “Set My Heart on Fire Immediately” afirma mais ainda o talento do compositor, utilizando letras enigmáticas e uma voz muito bem colocada em cada canção, o que faz algumas faixas parecerem orações, exemplo disso é “Leave”. Mike revisita velhas experiências e traz os sentimentos a tona de novo, como em “Jason”, além disso, ele deixa claro que não precisa de muitas palavras para espalhar emoções.
    A produção pode parecer simples em alguns momentos, mas sem dúvidas é certeira e segue uma coesão. Blake Mills é o produtor que ajudou Perfume Genius a dar vida e perfeição ao álbum. Mesmo nadando por águas experimentais com canções sem chorus definidos, o trabalho se tornou único na carreira de ambos.

    Ouvindo o disco algumas vezes fui gostando cada vez mais, é claramente um trabalho delicado que não foi feito apenas para ouvir, mas sim para sentir todo o conjunto singelo e envolvente criado por Mike Hadreas. “Set My Heart on Fire Immediately” precisa ser degustado em momentos calmos para que tudo seja transmitido das canções para os ouvintes, ou seja seu coração pode ser incendiado imediatamente ou não e isso chamou atenção da crítica e do público, uma vez que o trabalho foi aclamado com notas maravilhosas.

    Anty.    … Expand
  12. Ricko
    Sep 3, 2020
    7
    The whole artpop/chamber pop genre seems to be hitting it off with the critics in a major way of later. Some of it is quite good, most of it is interesting and more often than not the studio production in this genre is top class. One thing I do find is that the raw material, that is the songs and the base melodies, can often hide behind the production and the "art" aspect. Throw enoughThe whole artpop/chamber pop genre seems to be hitting it off with the critics in a major way of later. Some of it is quite good, most of it is interesting and more often than not the studio production in this genre is top class. One thing I do find is that the raw material, that is the songs and the base melodies, can often hide behind the production and the "art" aspect. Throw enough trickery and textures at the canvas and its going to be interesting but this is not always the same thing as being good. Most of the time this album ticks both the art box and the tunes box but not every time. When it's good its excellent and the standout songs are the kind of thing you'd like Arcade Fire to be doing these days. The other stuff strays into over indulgence at times and while sounding cool, it's questionable whether it goes anywhere. A solid and interesting listen if at times meandering and floaty.… Expand
  13. dramatickid
    May 19, 2020
    9
    Such an ethereal, moving, intense experience. Easily one the best albums of the year (if not the best) and possibly Perfume Genius' most accomplished work yet. Definitely recommended to everyone who's looking for a lot of drama and virtuosity in music production.
  14. Guille1293
    May 24, 2020
    10
    One of the greatest records of the year!! The sound completely changes from song to song to never make it a monotonous experience and those profoundly deep and personal lyrics feel like I'm reading a diary of someone I shouldn't. Just wonderful stuff
  15. LilScience
    Jan 12, 2022
    8
    Perfume Genius, traz um álbum fora do comum, com ritmos autênticos e com identidade própria, com músicas que você não consegue definir qual seu gênero, de tão diversificadas que são, um dos melhores do ano de 2020 com toda certeza.
    Faixas favoritas: Whole Life, Without You, Leave, Moonbend, Just A Touch, Some Dream.
  16. Sb_Matheus
    Dec 19, 2020
    10
    Passei um ano todo ignorando o álbum em listas que apareciam até que decidi escutar 5 meses depois do lançamento. Com certeza me arrependo de não ter feito antes. Muito bem escrito, produzido, com temáticas interessantes e a voz do cara é impecável. Recomendo demais!
  17. IndianaParkWars
    Dec 12, 2020
    9
    10.5/12

    I found Perfume Genius through his Tiny Desk Concert and listened to some of his other performances, but this is the first album I've listened to entirely. It's fantastic and very pleasant. There's a great sense of power and energy in this album with it's industrial and shoegaze sounds. It almost feels like watching a sunset. It's difficult to describe, but I know I love it.    10.5/12

    I found Perfume Genius through his Tiny Desk Concert and listened to some of his other performances, but this is the first album I've listened to entirely. It's fantastic and very pleasant. There's a great sense of power and energy in this album with it's industrial and shoegaze sounds. It almost feels like watching a sunset. It's difficult to describe, but I know I love it.
    "Whole Life" is fantastic and immediately resonated as a great song to me. "Describe" is fantastic and industrial and it features Phoebe Bridgers, because why wouldn't she be everywhere.

    ALBUM ARTWORK: The artwork is awesome. I love the monochrome cowboy framing. He looks excellent and fit. He looks like he's longing for something. But, he also looks powerful like he's about to face something dangerous. It's just a great photo and the texture is very aesthetically pleasing. It's very smoky, which fits the air in his voice as well as the dreamy shoegaze style of the album.
    Artwork review: 12/12    … Expand
  18. Lajaleaa
    Aug 24, 2020
    7
    ( 73/100 )

    He sido un público ausente para el proyecto de Mike Hadreas llamado Perfume Genius. Su IndieRock, suave y lleno de brillantina ha representado a la comunidad Queer y LGBT+ desde el 2010 con cada uno de sus albumes gracias a sus letras y lecciones sobre el amor y la sociedad. En su nuevo álbum, producido por Blake Mills, Mike cuida el ambiente y espacio en donde sucede la    ( 73/100 )

    He sido un público ausente para el proyecto de Mike Hadreas llamado Perfume Genius. Su IndieRock, suave y lleno de brillantina ha representado a la comunidad Queer y LGBT+ desde el 2010 con cada uno de sus albumes gracias a sus letras y lecciones sobre el amor y la sociedad. En su nuevo álbum, producido por Blake Mills, Mike cuida el ambiente y espacio en donde sucede la narrativa musical, sin embargo no decora o extiende el poder narrativo de su música lo suficiente para generar un golpe emocional. Hay memorias en sus letras y emociones que no se exploran adecuadamente a pesar de su solida composición. Y, en conjunto, este es un proyecto que no sorprende, no trasciende ni enseña nuevas lecciones, pero es solido con su propio concepto y estilo.
    -
    I've been an absent public for Mike Hadreas's project Perfume Genius. His Indie-Rock, smooth and full of glitter has represented the Queer and LGBT+ community since 2010 with each one of his albums thanks to his lyrics and lessons about love and society. In his new album, produced by Blake Mills, Mike takes care of the ambient and space where the musical narrative happens, but he doesn't decors or extends the narrative power of his music enough to create an emotional hit. There are memories in his lyrics and emotions not well explored even if the composition is solid. Altogether, this is a project with no surprises, no transcendence, and no new lessons, but is solid with its own concept and style.    … Expand
  19. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 12, 2022
    9
    Another great output from the perfume genius outfit . A display of their growth and experimental freedoms. The singles were honest precursors to this brilliant album of the year contender. An album that will forever be praised in his impressive discography. I enjoyed the albums cohesion which did nothing to sacrifice it's versatility. What i do find unfortunate is it's length which isAnother great output from the perfume genius outfit . A display of their growth and experimental freedoms. The singles were honest precursors to this brilliant album of the year contender. An album that will forever be praised in his impressive discography. I enjoyed the albums cohesion which did nothing to sacrifice it's versatility. What i do find unfortunate is it's length which is exposed towards the conclusions of some songs where they seem to meander past their due or instrumentals that seem listless and can be dull in repeated listen though it must be admitted that it does strengthen the albums full sound. A great feat in production is how it is used to emote and add to the lyrics through augmented guitars or pitched pianos or even edited vocals stripped of their human warmth and made skeletal such as in the single "Describe" where u can hear the anxiety the speaker is feeling. The lyrical excellence of this album deserves it's own review. A lyrical highlight, Jason, describes the sad callousness of a casual encounter with someone who hasn't accepted who their are. A poignant reality to those in the lgbt. The addition of their shoes still being on or taking a 20 dollar bill from the back pocket is so perfect in encapsulating the clinical transactional sex between them . So beautiful. Despite the singles it would be difficult to hear songs outside the album experience.
    My favourite: Jason,Describe,Whole Life,On the Floor,Your Body Changes Everything
    Least favourite:moonbend,borrowed light    … Expand
  20. petrichor1975
    May 22, 2021
    9
    "Set My Heart On Fire Immediately" is a lush and beautifully crafted album. Right from the start, Mike Hadreas makes his vulnerability known on opener "Whole Life". The songs recalls pop standards from the 1940s and a moving orchestra, which then segues into moody alt-rock anthem, "Describe". I was surprised to find how the song fades out about halfway through and the rest is ambient, but"Set My Heart On Fire Immediately" is a lush and beautifully crafted album. Right from the start, Mike Hadreas makes his vulnerability known on opener "Whole Life". The songs recalls pop standards from the 1940s and a moving orchestra, which then segues into moody alt-rock anthem, "Describe". I was surprised to find how the song fades out about halfway through and the rest is ambient, but it is done beautifully.

    The Springsteen-sounding "Without You" is next. Hadreas bellows and croons like Springsteen himself. "Jason", the ode to a one-night stand, is one of the most emotional on the record. Hadreas sings that he was "Letting in some love where there always should've been some", which is one of the most beautiful lyrics the album has to offer. The wispy and lowkey track "Leave" offers a few couplets and a very orchestral instrumental. However, groovy "On the Floor" is one of the true highlights on "Set My Heart On Fire Immediately". From this song and its successor, which is "Your Body Changes Everything", it's clear that Hadreas adores 80s pop.

    The avant-garde "Moonbend" is next and doesn't do much for me personally, but is still good. "Just A Touch" is another heartfelt tune, but I find "Nothing At All" to be another key moment on the album. Hadreas is back doing some more Springsteen-esque vocals. The hook of the song really shows that tone very well.

    Overall, "Set My Heart On Fire Immediately" is the best Perfume Genius record to date. He is perfectly vulnerable while still being strong. It's beautiful to witness.    … Expand
  21. asdeerty
    Dec 26, 2020
    10
    Este álbum se siente muy sentimental, emocional y es muy importante no evadirlo en un trabajo discográfico. La producción y lyrics de él te hacen sentir fenomenal y muchas veces con mucha energía. Muy experimental en cuanto a producción y rango vocal.
  22. bjhh
    Jun 17, 2020
    7
    There is no doubt that Perfume Genius' ability to write a song has progressed in every album. This album is a showcase of this talent. The tracks that stand-out as the best are truly magnificent. The exposed and bare 'Jason' is the most beautiful track on the album while 'On The Floor' manages to combine 80s influences and his distinct style together to create something wonderful. WhereThere is no doubt that Perfume Genius' ability to write a song has progressed in every album. This album is a showcase of this talent. The tracks that stand-out as the best are truly magnificent. The exposed and bare 'Jason' is the most beautiful track on the album while 'On The Floor' manages to combine 80s influences and his distinct style together to create something wonderful. Where this album lacks is pace and urgency. It never feels like it gets going and desperately needs something to give it even more life (something No Shape does brilliantly with 'Slip Away'). It is a great album, however it can still be improved on and isn't the complete masterpiece that most critics believe it is.… Expand
  23. Jatere
    Jun 22, 2020
    8
    meh was just checking something out real fast to confirm if the website is reliable or not
  24. musiclover2020
    Jul 7, 2020
    8
    Mike really delivered on “Set My Heart On Fire Immediately” This album is a journey to listen to, where each song is unique in its own way and tells a story that you can definitely imagine, his voice conveys everything he is singing about and you get the point he’s trying to make every time. There was very little songs i didn’t enjoy, this is for sure his best work and i’m excited to seeMike really delivered on “Set My Heart On Fire Immediately” This album is a journey to listen to, where each song is unique in its own way and tells a story that you can definitely imagine, his voice conveys everything he is singing about and you get the point he’s trying to make every time. There was very little songs i didn’t enjoy, this is for sure his best work and i’m excited to see what he does next.… Expand
  25. Jesusddiaz
    Aug 31, 2020
    10
    Música que te hace reflexionar sobre cuan grandiosa pueden ser las cosas hechas por una raza tan simple.
  26. weizh_wang
    Dec 6, 2020
    10
    one of my fav in 2020, beautiful and spectacular. Jason without you and while life are among my fav

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2020
65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Q Magazine
    Jun 9, 2020
    80
    The record's second half feels a little dreary after the spectacular opening, but the combination of doleful beauty and violent emotion that makes Hadreas's work extraordinary is never hard to find. [Summer 2020, p.104]
  2. PopMatters
    May 28, 2020
    90
    His ability to purge himself on every track is contagious. You don't have to go there with him to enjoy this album, but don't be surprised if you do.
    Read full review
  3. No Ripcord
    May 26, 2020
    90
    Set My Heart on Fire Immediately isn’t a perfect album. There are a couple of wormholes that Hadreas gets lost down and the sequencing causes a slightly jilted second half, but once these songs nestle in, they’re impossible to shift.
    Read full review
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