For those of us who have, in fact, felt like a plastic bag drifting through the wind, Katy Perry’s “Firework” is one of the most iconic hits of the early 2000s. Times have changed from the days of cotton candy clouds and pastel wigs, though; Perry’s career has been a rollercoaster ride not unlike the one she rode in her “Chained to the Rhythm” music video. 

Katy Perry’s musical journey began with a failure that not many are aware of. In March of 2001, at age 16, Perry released a self-titled gospel album that didn’t chart any music market. It wasn’t until she signed with Capitol Records in April of 2007 that she released her album One of the Boys, which featured classics like “I Kissed A Girl” and “Hot N Cold.” 

2010 saw the release of Perry’s third studio album: Teenage Dream, an instant chart-topper best remembered for “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” “E.T.,” and “Last Friday Night.” These five songs made her the first woman and the second artist to ever have five number-one singles from one album. Her next album, Prism, was even more successful. 

Then came Witness, an album Perry claimed was a shift towards “purposeful pop”: authentic music made with the intent to better society. She appeared to be making an effort to be taken seriously, or at least more seriously than during her years of “bubblegum pop” and over-the-top costumes. Unfortunately, Perry’s attempt seemed disingenuous to many, and the album was nowhere near as political or radical as it was publicized to be. It featured songs like “Bon Appetit” and “Swish Swish,” both of which were met with backlash and general confusion. They definitely didn’t seem to fit the standard of “purposeful pop” that Perry had set for herself. 

The most recent update in Katy Perry’s music career is Smile. Perry described her newest studio album, which dropped four days after the 10 year anniversary of Teenage Dream, as her “journey towards the light, with stories of resilience, hope, and love.” The album definitely fits this description, but its overly positive lyrics and a cascade of cliches prevented it from resonating with audiences.

Katy Perry fan senior Ashley Lin said that she “had been looking forward to the new album,” but that she felt “let down” by Perry’s latest work. “It definitely doesn’t hit the way ‘Firework’ does,” Lin added. Charles Chen, another senior, disagreed with Ashley in that “Champagne Problems” is currently one of his favorite songs. He did, however, feel that “Katy could do better overall.” 

Although Katy Perry’s recent work has fallen short, it is easy to see why she’s so overwhelmingly positive: she is happily in love, her daughter has possibly the cutest name ever given to a baby, and she remains a cultural force in the music industry. Perhaps a comeback is in the works. 

Photo courtesy of GAYTIMES.CO.UK