Katy Perry’s journey leading up to her seventh album release has been mixed. While New York Magazine’s The Cut recently spotlighted some positive news—MTV announcing the 39-year-old pop icon will receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award and perform at the VMAs on September 11—other developments have been less favorable.
Perry’s upcoming album, 143, hasn’t kicked off on the right note. The album’s first single, Woman’s World, released in July, was widely criticized. Many saw its girlboss-feminist themes as outdated, and its music video, which Perry intended as a satire of the male gaze, came across to many as reinforcing the very thing it aimed to mock. Consequently, the track’s performance was underwhelming, reaching only No. 47 in the UK and No. 63 in the US—a far cry from Perry’s days of dominating the charts like her 2010 album, Teenage Dream.
The second single, Lifetimes, a Eurodance track inspired by Perry’s love for her infant daughter, is projected to peak at No. 57 in the UK this week, with US chart positions forthcoming. However, the video for the song sparked controversy when authorities from the Balearic Islands reported that the production company filmed in Formentera without the necessary permissions. Capitol, Perry’s label, defended the production, stating they had verbal permission and respected all filming regulations. Despite this, the controversy contributed to the growing negativity around Perry’s latest project.
Many wonder why Perry’s comeback has stumbled. DJ Louie XIV, host of the Pop Pantheon podcast, attributes it to a miscalculated strategy. He suggests that while there was potential interest in Perry returning to her “gaudy pop anthem” roots amid a shift away from the sad-girl pop era, Perry’s choice to collaborate again with producer Dr. Luke was a significant misstep. Dr. Luke, who was embroiled in a lengthy legal battle with Kesha over sexual assault allegations (which were dismissed, and later settled), had not worked with Perry since 2017. Despite Dr. Luke’s recent resurgence, collaborating with stars like Kim Petras and Doja Cat, Perry’s association with him reopened old wounds, leading to criticism and poor reception of Woman’s World.
Cultural critic Emma Garland argues that Perry’s recent work feels disconnected from current tastes. Garland characterizes it as generic pop with superficial political messages that fail to resonate, especially with younger women. She believes Perry’s brand of pop stardom, which holds onto the belief that music can change the world, contrasts sharply with the current cultural landscape that leans towards a more raw and disillusioned tone.
Despite the backlash, Perry remains unfazed, spending time in Italy with fiancé Orlando Bloom and billionaire Jeff Bezos. However, insiders suggest there might be some disappointment within her camp. An anonymous publicist suggests that embracing Perry’s legacy and leveraging her long-standing achievements could help counteract the negative press. They also note that had Woman’s World been a more compelling track, fans might have been more forgiving.
Louie XIV adds that navigating this complex situation would require a more nuanced approach than Perry typically employs. However, he also suggests that the upcoming MTV Video Vanguard Award might offer a chance for Perry to refocus on her career highlights and perhaps consider a greatest hits tour. Despite the current setbacks, it’s worth noting that Perry has been a significant figure in pop music for 16 years, and many of her songs continue to resonate across generations.
Louie XIV concludes by saying that Perry’s career, characterized by a period of significant hits followed by a gradual decline, is emblematic of a classic pop star journey. If there were a stereotype for pop stardom, Perry’s story would fit the mold perfectly.
