Too Bright

Last updated
Too Bright
Too Bright Perfume Genius.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2014 (2014-09-23)
Genre
Length33:38
Label Matador
Producer Adrian Utley and Ali Chant
Perfume Genius chronology
Put Your Back N 2 It
(2012)
Too Bright
(2014)
No Shape
(2017)
Singles from Too Bright
  1. "Queen"
    Released: 17 July 2014
  2. "Grid"
    Released: 9 September 2014

Too Bright is the third album by American singer Perfume Genius, released on September 23, 2014.

Contents

The album reached number 77 on the UK albums chart and peaked at number 83 in the United States Billboard 200.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic? 8.4/10 [5]
Metacritic 87/100 [6]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
The A.V. Club A− [8]
Entertainment Weekly A− [9]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
NME 8/10 [12]
Pitchfork 8.5/10 [13]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [15]
Wondering Sound Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [16]

Too Bright has received critical acclaim. Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, gave the album an average score of 87, which indicates "universal acclaim". [6]

Brandon Stosuy of Pitchfork 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. [13]

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. [17] [18] [19]

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. [17] [19] [20]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."I Decline"1:58
2."Queen"3:50
3."Fool"3:55
4."No Good"3:49
5."My Body"2:17
6."Don't Let Them In"2:21
7."Grid"2:39
8."Longpig"2:50
9."I'm a Mother"3:30
10."Too Bright"3:25
11."All Along"2:34
Total length:33:38
Too Bright — Bonus Track Version
No.TitleLength
12."Thing"2:55
Too Bright — 10th Anniversary Edition
No.TitleLength
12."Story of Love"2:34
13."My Place"3:00
14."When U Need Someone"3:40

Personnel

Main personnel

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart (2014)Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [21] 26
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [22] 64
UK Albums (OCC) [23] 77
US Billboard 200 [24] 83
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [25] 19
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [26] 10
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [27] 24

Pop culture

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References

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  14. "Perfume Genius: Too Bright". Q (340): 116. November 2014.
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