It’s a disgrace that Katy Perry’s new album opens with ‘Girl’s World’, arguably essentially the most disastrous comeback single in current reminiscence. This mechanical-sounding feminine empowerment anthem was partly sunk by poor optics: Perry was extensively criticised for crafting it with Dr Luke, the producer who was accused (although by no means convicted) of emotional abuse and sexual assault by Kesha. However on the identical time, ‘Girl’s World’ was additionally torpedoed by its hopelessly imprecise, dated lyrics. When Perry sings “she’s a flower, she’s a thorn, superhuman, primary”, it’s arduous not to wonder if ChatGPT ought to have been credited alongside her 5 co-writers.
It might be simpler to overlook about ‘Girl’s World’ if it have been buried on the finish, however no less than ‘143’ improves when it’s over. When this album was introduced in July, it was billed as a “attractive, fearless, return to kind… jam filled with the empowering, attractive and provocative pop anthems you’ve come to like”. Lately, Perry has been extra distinguished as an American Idol decide, however clearly she needs to be a large pop star once more. This, presumably, is why she has determined to reconnect along with her important ‘Teenage Dream’ period collaborators: Dr Luke is credited on every of this album’s first ten tracks, whereas Norwegian hitmakers Stargate oversee the tacky ultimate music ‘Marvel’.
In its center part, ‘143’ almost lives as much as the gross sales pitch. Second single ‘Lifetimes’ is a fairly on-the-nose house-pop stomper, however the refrain does burrow into your mind – Perry didn’t change into one of many world’s greatest pop stars with out realizing her method round a great hook. ‘Crush’, which borrows from French Affair’s 2000 Eurodance hit ‘My Coronary heart Goes Increase (La Di Da Da)’, is one other satisfying membership banger. And Perry serves up some critical ear sweet on ‘Attractive’, a slinky ladies’ night time out duet with fellow Dr Luke collaborator Kim Petras, who provides the chaotic power that this music actually wants: “Fuck up the membership, ain’t payin’ for the injury.”
Elsewhere, although, Perry appears to be greedy for concepts. ‘Synthetic’ is de facto only a rewrite of her grinding ‘Teenage Dream’ hit ‘E.T.’, although this time she’s singing a few bionic man somewhat than an alien. “Are you gonna love me like a human? Are you able to contact me in a simulation?” she asks, sounding as if she’s about to road-test a brand new VR headset.
‘I’m His, He’s Mine’ pairs Perry with rising star Doechii, a shrewd transfer, however the monitor itself sucks the life out of a chunky pattern from Crystal Waters’ 1991 membership traditional ‘Gypsy Girl’. It doesn’t assist that Perry’s lyrics specific some fairly unsisterly sentiments provided that she was telling us “it’s a lady world” three songs earlier. “Why you overworkin’ on him like a suntan? Go and get your personal man,” Perry sings.
The result’s a file that generally hits the goal however not often leaves a long-lasting impression. Pop followers have a passion for resurrecting “flop” albums that got quick shrift after they first got here out: Mariah Carey’s ill-fated soundtrack album ‘Glitter’ and Christina Aguilera’s sonic hodgepodge ‘Bionic’ have each change into cult classics of kinds. However even this destiny appears unlikely for ‘143’, a serviceable however barely uninteresting assortment on which Perry struggles to relocate her outdated sense of enjoyable.
Particulars
- Launch date: September 20, 2024
- Report label: Capitol
