American indie pop singer-songwriter Perfume Genius has released new song Without You, complete with a video shot by one of his own fans.

Perfume Genius, otherwise known as Michael Hadreas, announced a special competition for his fans back in May to coincide with the launch of his fifth studio album Set My Heart On Fire Immediately, from which Without You is taken.

The contest encouraged his supporters to come up with ideas for a music video for his song Without You. Three winners were then chosen to act as directors, with each being given a $1,000 budget to shoot the video, and an additional $1,000 to donate to a charity of their choosing.

The winning entrants were Liz Lian, Samantha Mitchell, and Kristin Massa.

Lian’s video, which is a magical and colourful offering starring actress Annie Tezuka, is available today. The choreography was done by Rachel Stone, the wardrobe was by Bryn Walker, and cinematography was by Cheyenne Peerson.

The next video to be unveiled will be Mitchell’s, which will be available on August 4th. Massa’s will be available the week after on August 11th.

On his official website, Hadreas said of the song: "Without You is about a tiny moment of grace sustaining you through hard times. I looked in the mirror, which is usually such a jumble, and for a brief second I understood and liked what I saw. I didn't know that feeling was available to me. It left quickly, but it was enough just knowing it's in there somewhere hiding and waiting for me to figure all this out.”

Lian has chosen ACLU of Southern California as her charity, an organisation which seeks to offer help to people who are struggling to seek protection from the Bill of Rights. Mitchell chose the Baltimore chapter of the Sex Workers Outreach Project and Massa selected RAICES, a non-profit organisation that provides legal services and advocacy for immigrant children, families, and refugees.

Watch the video for Without You directed by Liz Lian below.

Buy or stream Set My Heart On Fire Immediately through the official Perfume Genius website.

 indie       pop 

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.