Katy Perry released her sixth album ‘143’ today, marking her latest attempt to reclaim past glory and success. The release follows her recent performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Perry emphasized the importance of staying focused as an artist, especially for women in the industry. She stated, “There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no decade-long accidents.”
The new album ‘143’ has received a lukewarm reception, with critics describing it as flat and disappointing. This follows her previous album ‘Smile’ in 2020, which quickly faded from the charts despite singles like “Never Really Over” and “Harleys in Hawaii.”
‘143’ seems to strip away the perky personality that led to Perry’s early 2010s superstardom. The sound comes across as uninspired, with Perry’s performance described as disaffected and removed. The album lacks the clever wit and savvy that characterized her earlier work.
Perry’s career trajectory hit an inflection point with her 2017 album ‘Witness’, which marked her first time working without frequent collaborator Dr. Luke. The deviation from her successful formula proved challenging.
For ‘143’, Perry reunited with Dr. Luke as the main producer, a decision that sparked controversy due to his past legal issues with Kesha. Perry has largely avoided addressing this discourse.
The album’s themes revolve around the prismatic nature of romance, with ‘143’ being an antiquated code for “I love you.” The inspiration likely comes from Perry’s engagement to Orlando Bloom. Recurring themes include love’s ability to save, sting, and satisfy.
Critics have pointed out that the album’s lyrics often rely on clichés, while the production, though dance floor-oriented, lacks the spark of Dr. Luke’s previous work with Perry.
Despite these critiques, it’s worth remembering that Perry remains one of the most successful artists of the millennium. She once achieved a feat matched only by Michael Jackson, releasing an album with five consecutive number-one singles.
