Review - Katy Perry - Prism

The name Katy Perry has become synonymous with not only pure pop, but the top of the charts. In only two albums, the singer has managed SEVEN #1 hits (not including her latest penthouse resident “Roar”, the lead single off ‘Prism’). As of this month (October 2013), she has sold an astounding 80+ million singles worldwide. With a track record like that, there is a lot to live up to with a new record.

‘Prism’ is perfectly timed, giving us just enough space and time from her ‘Teenage Dream’-era, the singles from which dominated Top 40 radio for an inconceivably long time. That time has clearly affected the kind of music Perry wants to make--and her goals in music.

“Roar” is likely the only #1 on the album, and even that was a bit surprising for some of us (not least of all Sara Bareilles, whose “Brave” came months before and sounds eerily similar). Every song on the LP is pop pop pop, but nothing holds the same radio-friendly luster and potential. Please, don’t think this is a bad thing though; ‘Prism’ feels destined to do more than sell an obscene number of copies.

The album is a bit of a risk for someone like Perry, but she’s earned the chance. The CD keeps the quality of her previous efforts--not a song needing skipping. The variety on here is also surprising; she plays with everything from indie pop to trap to disco, jumping on the bandwagon created by the likes of Bruno Mars and Daft Punk this summer.

Katy is such a star, there are likely two or three more singles that will come out of ‘Prism’, but it doesn’t feel like this album will own radio the way her previous two did. Having said that, this is also the Perry ALBUM you need to hear.

Listen to: The album, especially “Roar”, “Double Rainbow”, “Walking on Air”, and “International Smile”