No Shape is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Perfume Genius, released on May 5, 2017, through Matador Records as the follow-up to Too Bright (2014).
Background Hadreas was featured on the cover of the March–April 2017 issue of The Fader, which included a lengthy feature on Hadreas and his work on the next album. In the weeks following the article, Hadreas posted a number of video and audio clips teasing new music. On March 21, 2017, Hadreas announced his fourth studio album No Shape and released the first single "Slip Away", which was accompanied by a music video directed by frequent Björk collaborator Andrew Thomas Huang. The single was designated "Best New Track" by Pitchfork. On April 19, Hadreas released another single from the album called "Go Ahead" during a live Twitter Q&A with fans. On May 9, 2017, Perfume Genius released the video for "Die 4 You", directed by Floria Sigismondi.
Reception
Accolades Publication Accolade Rank The Independent The 30 best albums of 2017 NME NME's Albums of the Year 2017 NPR The 50 Best Albums of 2017 Pitchfork The 50 Best Albums of 2017 Pitchfork The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s Stereogum The 50 Best Albums of 2017 Uncut Albums of the Year Vinyl Me, Please The 30 Best Albums of 2017
The album received a Grammy Award nomination for “Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical” at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Additionally, it was noted as one of the works designated under producer Blake Mills’ nomination for “Producer of the Year, Non-Classical.”
Track listing
Personnel Performance
Mike Hadreas – vocals , piano , synthesizer , Wurlitzer , trumpet noises , congregation vocals Blake Mills – piano , synthesizer , vocals , marimba , guitars , drums , percussion , tablas , bass , baritone guitar , Marxophone , programming , Mellotron , guitarron , organ , kora , celeste , Omnichord , woodwinds , congregation vocals Stuart Johnson – drums , percussion , cymbals , Rob Moose – violin , viola , string arrangements Alan Wyffels – backing vocals , synthesizer , vocals , Rhodes piano , piano Natalie Mering – vocals Pino Palladino – bass Chris Dave – drums , percussion Shawn Everett – synthesizer Joseph Lorge – congregation vocals Clay Blair – congregation vocals Becca Luce – congregation vocals Chris Doerr – congregation vocals
Production
Blake Mills – production Shawn Everett – engineering, mixing Joseph Lorge – engineering Clay Blair – studio assistance Omar Yakar – studio assistance Brendan Dekora – studio assistance Patricia Sullivan – mastering Inez and Vinoodh – artwork Mike Zimmerman – design
Charts Chart (2017) Peak position Australia Hitseekers (ARIA) 12 New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ) 9
References