Perfume Albums: Which Ones To Buy?

which perfume albums to buy

The Japanese pop group Perfume has released several albums over their 25-year career. Their discography includes albums such as GAME, JPN, LEVEL3, and Triangle (⊿). While opinions vary among fans, with some preferring older albums and others favouring newer releases, Triangle consistently ranks as one of their best works. Other notable mentions include GAME, JPN, and LEVEL3, which are often considered fan favourites.

Characteristics Values
Best Perfume album Triangle (⊿), Game, JPN, Level3, Future Pop, Plasma, Nebula Romance
Best album by Perfume Genius No Shape
Latest album by Perfume Genius Glory

shunscent

JPN by Perfume

JPN is the third studio album (fourth overall) by the Japanese girl group Perfume. It was released on November 30, 2011, by Tokuma Japan Communications. The album features a more pop-oriented sound compared to their previous album, Triangle, while still maintaining Perfume's signature electronic style. All the songs on the album were written and produced by Yasutaka Nakata.

JPN was preceded by the release of five singles, two of which were double A-sides. All the singles, along with their B-sides, were included on the album, with the exception of "FAKE IT" from the single "Nee." The album debuted at number 1 in the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart, selling 227,000 copies in its first week—the highest debut week sales of Perfume's career up to that point. It eventually sold over 340,000 copies and was certified platinum.

JPN was the group's last release under Tokuma Japan Communications before they moved to Universal Music Japan. The album was re-released worldwide in 2012 in over 50 countries, marking Perfume's first international release. This gave the group global exposure and helped to establish their presence outside of Japan.

While opinions vary among fans regarding the best Perfume album, JPN is often cited as a favourite. Some listeners appreciate the album's blend of electronic and pop elements, showcasing the group's evolution since their earlier releases. The album's commercial success and critical acclaim make it a notable entry in Perfume's discography and a popular choice for fans.

Easy Refill: Perfume Bottle Guide

You may want to see also

shunscent

Triangle by Perfume

Triangle (published as '⊿') is the second studio album by the Japanese girl group Perfume. It was released on 8 July 2009, through Tokuma Japan. The album is primarily electropop, with traces of disco and house, and draws influence from 1980s and 1990s music. Yasutaka Nakata returned as the executive producer, with all lyrics and music composed by him.

The title 'Triangle' was chosen to reflect the fact that Perfume is a trio, with each member contributing equally to the group. The album artwork features the three members surrounded by a large triangle, dressed in white to symbolise their evolution and maturity.

'Triangle' builds upon the success of their previous album 'Game' (2008), expanding their sonic identity and showcasing their growth as performers. The album received generally positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success, becoming their second chart-topping album and receiving platinum certification from the RIAJ.

The album explores lyrical themes of love and courage, particularly from a woman's perspective. It includes popular singles such as "Love the World", "Dream Fighter", and "One Room Disco", with the former becoming their first number one on the Oricon chart.

'Triangle' has been praised for its variation and unique sound, with some considering it a key shift in Nakata's production style. It has gained a dedicated fan base, with some considering it their favourite Perfume album. The album is available for purchase on Amazon, with prices starting at $15 for new and used copies.

shunscent

Game by Perfume

If you're looking to buy a Perfume album, one of the group's earliest and most popular albums, 'Game', is a great choice. Released in 2008, 'Game' is the debut studio album by the Japanese girl group Perfume and their first studio album to be fully written and produced by Yasutaka Nakata.

The album has an electronic/dance sound with notable technopop influences. Nakata expressed his interest in reinventing the technopop movement in Japan, which was first sonically established by the band Yellow Magic Orchestra in the 1980s. The album uses classic technopop as a template and updates it with a futuristic twist, all while maintaining the J-pop genre.

'Game' was met with commercial success in Japan, becoming Perfume's first album to top the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart and receiving double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of over 500,000 copies. Critically, the album received mixed to positive reviews. Some praised the overall sound and cheerful themes, while others believed the material was overproduced and lacking depth. Despite this, 'Game' received several accolades, including the Album of Excellence Award at the 50th Japan Record Awards.

The album features 12 tracks, including three singles released to promote the album: "Fan Service (Sweet)", which included the album tracks "Chocolate Disco" and "Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow", "Polyrhythm", and a double A-side single, "Baby Cruising Love". A bonus DVD version of the album was also released, including the original music videos for "Macaroni" and "Secret Secret", two live performances in Japan, and three separate music videos for "Macaroni" shot by each member of Perfume.

shunscent

Level3 by Perfume

Level3 (stylized as LEVEL3) is the fourth studio album by the Japanese girl group Perfume. It was released on 2 October 2013 by Universal J and Perfume Records. Level3 is an electronic dance album recorded in Japanese and English that borrows numerous musical elements, including J-pop, house music, and technopop.

The album was produced by long-time collaborator, Japanese producer, and Capsule member Yasutaka Nakata. It was recorded and mixed in Japan with the assistance of Nakata, and the recording process took nearly two years, making it one of Perfume's longer-spanning projects. The album was promoted through six different formats: a standalone CD, a limited CD and DVD bundle, a digital release, a bonus CD standalone edition, a 12-inch double LP, and a second digital release.

Level3 received positive reviews from music critics. Critics noted the musical improvement from their previous release and commended Nakata's production standards and the album's commercial appeal. Patrick St. Michel from The Japan Times commented that "the strongest moments come when Nakata incorporates EDM sounds in novel ways." The album was a commercial success, reaching the top spot on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 250,000 units. It also charted on Korea's Gaon Album Chart and Taiwan's G-Music Albums Chart.

While some fans consider Level3 to be their favourite Perfume album, others have stated that it is their least favourite. One fan commented that while they found it difficult to choose between JPN and Level3, they ultimately preferred JPN.

shunscent

Glory by Perfume Genius

Glory, released on March 28, 2025, is the seventh studio album by American musician Perfume Genius, whose real name is Mike Hadreas. The album was released through Matador Records and features contributions from Hadreas' partner, Alan Wyffels, and producer Blake Mills, as well as a guest appearance by Aldous Harding. Glory was recorded at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and has been described as a more collaborative effort compared to Hadreas' previous albums. The album explores themes of alienation, longing, and desire, with Hadreas noting that the record's central conflict is the "back and forth between internal and external."

The album received critical acclaim, with an average score of 90 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 17 reviews. Paste's David Feigelson praised the album, describing it as a "spectacular demonstration" that seamlessly updates familiar Perfume Genius concepts with unflinching curiosity. Uncut's Daniel Dylan Wray also had positive things to say about the album, noting its ability to captivate while navigating between vulnerability and restraint. Glory has also been described as muscular and filled with lush, challenging paradoxes.

The album's first single, "It's a Mirror," was released on January 15, 2025, along with an accompanying music video directed by longtime collaborator Cody Critcheloe. This was followed by the release of the second single, "No Front Teeth," featuring Aldous Harding, on February 19, 2025, and the third single, "Clean Heart," on March 25, 2025. Other notable tracks on the album include "Me & Angel," "Left For Tomorrow," "Full On," and "Hanging Out."

Frequently asked questions

New fans usually say the best album is the newest release. In 2018, that was Future Pop. In 2023, Plasma renewed interest in the group for some fans.

Older fans often say GAME or Triangle (also known as ⊿) are the best albums.

Hardcore fans seem to agree that JPN is the worst album, but they have varied opinions on the best album.

The Perfume albums that appear in the greatest album charts are GAME, JPN, LEVEL3, Triangle, and Future Pop.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment