Katy Perry is releasing her 7th album on Thursday night.
Called “143,” it’s her first album in four and a half years, or the time she devoted to “American Idol.”
And while she made a boatload of money with “Idol,” Katy created a problem for herself insofar as her recording career. Her fans moved on to new female pop stars, from Chappell Roan to Billie Eilish, etc.
Of course Katy’s old nemesis, Taylor Swift, has released an endless amount of music in those four years. She stuck with it and built her audience.
In advance of “143,” Katy has released three singles from the eleven tracks on the album. They’ve all flopped, in a row. The latest is called “I’m His, He’s Mine” and it’s just a reworking of Crystal Waters’s famous hit, “Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee).” Perry takes a dance hit about a homeless woman and turns into, well, nothing.
Part of Katy’s problem is that instead of looking for an inspired new sound, she went to her old producer, Dr. Luke. He’s spent the last four years locked in a legal battle with singer Kesha, who accused him of some nasty stuff. Tney’ve recently settled. But Perry’s return to him is not a good luck.
A few years ago, I really liked a Katy Perry song called “Chained to the Rhythm.” I thought it indicated a new interesting direction for her. But I guess it didn’t stick. Will “143” be a dud? We shall wait and see.
