I really enjoyed this side of Queens of the Stone Age. Perfecth has a lovely late-night feel: acoustic guitars, softer grooves and Josh Homme’s voice right up close. “Easy Street” and “Mono” are my standouts. A strong 8.5/10.
There’s something appealing about hearing them strip things back. You notice the guitar playing, the voices and the rhythms more clearly. On “Easy Street”, that gives the music warmth. On “Mono”, it makes the odd sounds and restless percussion stand out.
A Quieter Turn
Released on 30 October 2026 through Matador Records, Perfecth is the band’s ninth studio album, following 2023’s In Times New Roman…. Joshua Homme and Michael Shuman share the production credits. The release also follows the announcement of Queens of the Stone Age’s 2027 US tour with Pixies.
The band describe its nine songs as exploring different forms of love. That fits the more vulnerable feeling of the record.
The acoustic sound brings their Paris catacombs performance to mind, filmed and recorded in July 2024. Hearing them work with less distortion suits this more personal material.
Easy Street Is a Highlight
“Easy Street” is a lovely track. The acoustic guitar and handclaps give it a rhythm you can settle into, with haunting vocals over the top.
There’s an almost flamenco feel to the guitar playing. That plucked rhythm does a lot of the work, and it’s a big part of why the song stands out for me.
I like the warmth of the music against the darker words. It sounds welcoming, but there’s an uneasiness to it as well. That gives it something beyond being a nice acoustic song.
Mono Keeps Things Unsettling
“Mono” is the other one I’d point you towards. It’s stranger and more restless, and I enjoyed that about it.
The percussion keeps shifting, with sharp guitar and synth-like sounds cutting through the psychedelic clatter. It feels unsettled, as though the parts are pulling against each other.
The band’s official description highlights the mix moving between mono and stereo. That change from a contained sound to something wider fits the track’s uneasy feel.
It’s a good example of how much they can do with the sound when they leave room for those details. Alongside “Easy Street”, it’s a highlight for me.
Groove, Glam and a Touch of Bowie
Elsewhere, I hear 1970s soul and soft-rock warmth alongside a sleazier glam feel. “Insignificant Other” has that smooth, unhurried quality, with Homme’s higher vocal delivery adding to its gentler mood.
“Sunday” brings more of a strut. It reworks the song from Iggy Pop’s 2016 album Post Pop Depression, which Homme co-wrote and helped produce. The theatrical vocal style puts me in mind of Bowie, with a bit of bite beneath the polish.
“Where The Goth Girls At?” gives the album another shot of swagger. Its stomping rock feel and burst of energy towards the end offer a reminder of the band’s heavier side within this more subdued record.
The Space in the Sound Matters
I like being able to hear the acoustic parts and vocals this clearly. The plucking and handclaps on “Easy Street” have their own place, while the percussion on “Mono” can make things feel uncomfortable.
Homme’s close vocal sound helps too. It gives the album that intimate, late-night feeling I enjoyed.
Final Verdict
Perfecth is a strong album with a more intimate feel. I enjoyed the softer grooves, the acoustic textures and the way the band keep a sense of unease running through them.
“Easy Street” and “Mono” are the two I would start with. Together, they capture the warmth and the strangeness that make this record worth spending time with.
Rating: 8.5/10
Standout tracks: “Easy Street”, “Mono”.
Sources: official album listing; official tracklist and production credits; official catacombs film details.
