Mike Hadreas’ sad bastard solo project, Perfume Genius, is adored by pretty much everyone who hears it. Pitchfork gave Learning–Hadreas’ debut album, which is heavy on piano and tragedy–a whopping 8.2 out of 10. Success has come quickly for the Seattle resident: now 26, he started writing music just two years ago and is already signed to Matador Records. All Hadreas needs next is for the masses of disillusioned, heartbroken 20-somethings to hear songs like “Mr Petersen,” which balances bouncing piano with Hadreas’ whisper-soft vocals: “He made me a tape of Joy Division/ He told me there was part of him missing.” Amidst this success, though, it seems like Hadreas could fall apart at any moment. On a personal level, he’s been to rehab and plays few live shows. Combine that with his fragile-as-a-baby-bird music, and Perfume Genius seems just as likely to blow up as to implode. With Diamond Rings, Shenandoah Davis. PAIGE RICHMOND

Wed., Sept. 22, 8 p.m., 2010