Once one of the world’s biggest pop stars, Katy Perry is now facing a difficult comeback with her seventh album, 143. Despite her past chart-topping success, the album’s lead singles have underperformed, raising questions about why Perry’s new music isn’t connecting with listeners. The album’s first single, Woman’s World, debuted at a disappointing 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 65 in the UK, while the follow-up, Lifetimes, only reached number 15 on the less prestigious Billboard Bubbling Under chart.
Katy Perry, who holds the record for more diamond singles—six, signifying sales of 10 million units in the US—than any female artist except Rihanna, now finds herself grappling with a critical question: why is her new music falling flat? Music journalist Hugh McIntyre says, “Katy Perry is one of the biggest names in pop music, so when these songs didn’t break through, it created an interesting story for the media.”
Controversy Surrounding Woman’s World
The troubles began with the release of Woman’s World, a track Perry described as empowering, aiming to echo the feminist messages of her earlier hits like Firework and Roar. However, the song was overshadowed by Perry’s decision to collaborate once again with Dr. Luke, a producer with whom she had worked on her biggest albums but who became controversial following a lengthy legal battle with pop singer Kesha. Kesha accused Dr. Luke of drugging and assaulting her, though the case was settled in 2023 without a court ruling on the allegations. Many fans and critics were surprised that Perry would choose to work with him on a song about female empowerment, leading to backlash that tainted the song’s release.
The collaboration raised questions about Perry’s judgment, with many believing she miscalculated the public reaction. Rhian Daly, another music journalist, commented, “Perry really misjudged how working with Dr. Luke again would go down. Even though other artists have worked with him, this decision doesn’t align with Perry’s intended message.”
Struggles with Relatability and Authenticity
Aside from the controversy, Perry’s new music is also criticized for being out of step with today’s cultural climate. The lyrics of Woman’s World have been called simplistic and outdated, particularly in an era where fans expect more nuance and authenticity. Amy Davidson, another music commentator, pointed out that modern pop stars like Charli XCX and Chappell Roan have gained attention by writing with raw honesty, in contrast to Perry’s more generalized lyrics. “In 2024, fans won’t stand for tokenistic attempts to join the conversation,” Davidson said.
The music video for Woman’s World also faced criticism for seemingly pandering to male viewers, despite Perry’s defense that it was meant as satire. Combined with underperforming singles and a mixed reception, it’s clear that Perry’s comeback hasn’t gone as planned.
Perry’s Past Successes and Current Challenges
Katy Perry’s current struggles stand in stark contrast to her earlier career successes. Her 2010 album Teenage Dream catapulted her to superstardom, producing five number-one singles, a feat only previously matched by Michael Jackson’s Bad. However, after the moderate success of her 2013 album Prism, which featured hits like Roar and Dark Horse, Perry’s commercial performance has steadily declined. Her 2017 album Witness and 2020’s Smile failed to replicate her earlier chart dominance, and her latest singles have done little to change that trajectory.
McIntyre argues that part of Perry’s challenge is that her music feels “kind of dated” and that she is attempting to create songs that appeal to everyone—from young teens to their parents—at a time when the music industry has become more fragmented. Today’s younger audiences often discover new music through platforms like TikTok and Spotify, rather than traditional radio, making it difficult for Perry to craft a universally appealing hit.
The Role of Misogyny and Ageism
Another factor that may be impacting Perry’s comeback is a combination of ageism and misogyny, which often affects female artists over the age of 35. Perry, now 39, may be facing the same obstacles that other women in the industry have encountered. Daly points to Kylie Minogue’s viral hit Padam Padam, which was snubbed by some youth-oriented radio stations, allegedly due to her age. “Age is definitely a factor in the reaction to Perry’s return, whether her critics would admit it or not,” Daly suggests.
Looking Ahead
With the release of 143, it remains uncertain whether Katy Perry will be able to turn things around. While she has demonstrated resilience in the past—reinventing herself after her initial stint as a Christian rock singer in 2001—her latest attempt to regain cultural relevance has been fraught with controversy and mixed reactions.
Although Perry has acknowledged mistakes from earlier in her career, such as the criticisms of her 2008 hit I Kissed a Girl for reinforcing bisexual stereotypes, she has been less forthcoming about addressing the backlash surrounding her decision to work with Dr. Luke. Whether Perry can recalibrate and deliver a fresh, uncontroversial hit remains to be seen.
