"Perverse" is the third studio album by British rock band Jesus Jones, produced by the band's frontman Mike Edwards. Released in 1993, it is notable for being the first album ever recorded completely digitally, creating a unique sonic landscape for its time.
The album showcases a significant departure from the indie-dance-pop orientation of their earlier work, leaning more towards an industrial and techno style. Nevertheless, Jesus Jones' knack for catchy hooks remained apparent in tracks like "The Devil You Know" and "The Right Decision," which received substantial airplay.
The band's ambitious approach towards integrating new technology mirrored the theme of the album itself: a commentary on the quickly emerging digital age and its impact on society and interpersonal relationships.
Despite achieving considerable success in the UK, peaking at number 6 in the charts, "Perverse" struggled to attain the same level of commercial recognition in other markets like the U.S. Regardless, it remains a landmark album due to its technological pioneering and remains a fan-favorite due to the standout melodies and thought-provoking lyrics.
Frontman Mike Edwards has been open about it being his favorite Jesus Jones album, and the band even performed the album in its entirety during a 2014 tour to mark the 20th anniversary of its release. Despite the mixed commercial reception at the time of release, the album today is often heralded as a forebearer to the full integration of technology within music production.
