Katy Perry, one of the most prominent pop artists of the last two decades, is facing mixed reactions from her devoted fanbase, affectionately known as “KatyCats,” regarding her recent musical endeavors. The announcement of her upcoming album, titled “143,” has sparked controversy and raised questions about her current standing in the music industry.
On July 12, Perry revealed plans for “143,” following the release of her lead single “WOMAN’S WORLD” a day earlier. However, this new phase has been marred by questions about her relevance in a fast-evolving musical landscape. Throughout her career, Perry has delivered hits like “Firework” and “Teenage Dream,” but she appears to be struggling to maintain her presence and popularity now.
One factor attributed to this downturn may be the limited promotional efforts surrounding her latest album. Historically, Perry has faced marketing challenges, notably with her 2017 album “Witness,” which sold only 600,000 copies in contrast to the 4.2 million copies of her 2013 release, “Prism.”
Since announcing “143” over two months in advance of its September 20 release, there has been little excitement or buzz around the project. While Perry occasionally shares updates on her Instagram, the posts haven’t generated significant positive engagement.
Fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the lead single “WOMAN’S WORLD,” criticizing its lyrics and the all-male production team that includes Dr. Luke, Rocco Did It Again!, Vaughn Oliver, and Aaron Joseph. This collaboration has drawn particular ire due to Dr. Luke’s controversial past, as Kesha accused him of sexual assault in 2014, a case that received widespread attention and support from other artists, including Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.
In a recent episode of Alex Cooper’s podcast “Call Her Daddy,” Perry discussed her partnership with Dr. Luke, emphasizing her ownership of her songwriting and artistic journey. “The truth is I wrote these songs from my experience of my whole life going through this metamorphosis,” she stated, acknowledging his role in her music creation despite defending their collaboration amid criticisms.
Another possible reason for Perry’s waning success could be her perceived lack of musical diversity. Known for her signature bubblegum pop style, many fans feel her sound has not evolved significantly since she debuted in 2008.
Perry’s second single, “LIFETIMES,” released on August 8, did receive some increased attention, yet it was still criticized for being repetitive. Both of her recent singles have struggled to gain traction compared to her past hits like “Roar” and “Dark Horse.”
On streaming platforms, Perry’s singles are not performing well, with “Lifetimes” peaking at No. 198 on the Spotify 200 chart upon its release, while “Woman’s World” reached No. 190 a week later.
The vibe of “Woman’s World” has also been compared to the recent “Barbie” trend, with other releases like Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” and Lizzo’s “Pink” reflecting a modernized take on upbeat pop. In contrast, Perry’s latest offering seems to echo sounds from an earlier era.
Writer Cat Zhang, commenting on Perry’s new release for “The Cut,” noted the lack of reception the song received, referring to Perry as “a 2010s relic, a faded pop star frantically attempting to clamber back to relevance.”
As Perry moves forward with her career, it appears unlikely that she will recapture the success of her earlier albums such as “Teenage Dream,” “One of the Boys,” and “Prism,” leading to doubts about whether her current musical era will leave a lasting impression.