Katy Perry – 143: A Rocky Rollout for Her Seventh Studio Album

Katy Perry’s Upcoming Album ‘143’: Struggles, Controversy, and Chart Battles

Katy Perry is facing a turbulent launch for her seventh studio album 143, set to release on September 20, 2024. The album’s rollout has been anything but smooth, with both singles, Lifetimes and Woman’s World, facing backlash and chart struggles.

The Lifetimes Single and Music Video Controversy

Perry dropped her second single from 143, titled Lifetimes, on a Friday in early September. Accompanying the single was a visually stunning music video filmed on location in the Balearic Islands of Spain, including Ibiza. However, just days after the video premiered, controversy followed as the Balearic Islands’ environmental department announced an investigation. Allegations emerged that Perry’s production company did not obtain proper permits to film on protected sand dunes on the S’Espalmador island, a place known for its “great ecological value.”

This controversy, combined with the single’s poor performance on the charts, made for a challenging release. Lifetimes peaked at No. 198 on the U.S. Spotify daily top 200 chart but only managed to stay for a single day. On the global Spotify chart, it briefly hit No. 145, but like in the U.S., it quickly faded.

Woman’s World: A Feminist Anthem Gone Wrong?

The rocky start for 143 began back in July with the release of its lead single, Woman’s World. Marketed as a feminist anthem, the song received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Critics panned the song for its “dated” sound and lack of clarity in its message. The Guardian gave the song a dismal 1-star rating, calling it a “failed satire” with confused messaging. Pitchfork described it as a “monumental catastrophe,” with its feminist theme appearing more like “the top half of the first page of Google.”

Chart-wise, Woman’s World underperformed dramatically for a Katy Perry lead single, peaking at just No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and falling off after a single week. Despite the controversy, Perry addressed the backlash by posting behind-the-scenes footage on Instagram, stating the song’s concept was “satirical” and “on the nose.”

Controversy Surrounding Dr. Luke

Adding to the struggles is the controversy around Perry’s decision to work with producer Dr. Luke, real name Lukasz Gottwald, for both Lifetimes and Woman’s World. Dr. Luke is a polarizing figure in the music industry, having been involved in a legal battle with singer Kesha, who accused him of rape and emotional abuse—a lawsuit that was eventually dismissed. Perry, who had worked with Dr. Luke on her early hit albums One of the Boys and Teenage Dream, has faced backlash for rekindling this professional relationship.

Abigail Breslin, among others, openly criticized Perry’s collaboration with Dr. Luke, tweeting, “Working with known abusers in any industry just contributes to the narrative that men can do abhorrent shit and get away with it.” Despite this, Perry has defended her decisions, even as the media continues to scrutinize the collaboration.

Background: What Went Wrong After Smile?

143 follows Perry’s 2020 album Smile, which also struggled commercially compared to her earlier records. Smile peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking the first time since 2008’s One of the Boys that a Perry album failed to reach No. 1. The album’s lead single Daisies reached No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, but failed to leave a lasting impact.

Katy Perry’s best-known for her record-breaking success with albums like Teenage Dream (2010), which featured five No. 1 singles, including hits like Firework and California Gurls. But in recent years, both her albums and singles have struggled to match that high watermark.

What to Expect from 143

Despite its rough rollout, 143 will feature a star-studded list of collaborators, including Kim Petras, 21 Savage, Doechii, and J.I.D. Fans and critics alike are eager to see if Perry can turn things around before the album drops on September 20. With two singles already out, all eyes are on the next few weeks as Katy Perry’s 143 prepares to hit the shelves.

Will this album be the hit Perry needs to reclaim her pop throne, or will 143 struggle like its predecessors?

Artists: Katy Perry
Album: 143
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 256kbps
Genre: Pop
Year: 2024

Tracklist:

1. WOMAN’S WORLD
2. GIMME GIMME (feat. 21 Savage)
3. GORGEOUS (feat. Kim Petras)
4. I’M HIS, HE’S MINE (feat. Doechii)
5. CRUSH
6. LIFETIMES
7. ALL THE LOVE
8. NIRVANA
9. ARTIFICIAL (feat. JID)
10. TRUTH
11. WONDER

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