On Oct. 22, Katy Perry's third studio album, "Prism," will hit stores, and already critics are weighing in on the pop princess's latest record that is currently streaming on iTunes for free. What is the verdict so far?
After topping the charts with her upbeat anthem "Roar," Perry is set to release up-tempo love song "Unconditionally" as her second single, and she's added 90-second sneak peaks of the new tracks on iTunes for fans.
Guardian reviewer, Alexis Petridis, critiques the record for being called her most "spiritual" to date, arguing that "the lyrics graft a load of new-age buzzwords - third eye, karma, mantra - on to a song about having it off. It sets the lyrical tone for the rest of the album, which seems noticeably less concerned with man's quest for greater meaning than it does with pointing out that [Russell Brand is a jerk]."
Indeed, Perry's new album features several songs about her ex-husband, including the darkly emotional "By the Grace of God," in which she opens up about her suicidal thoughts and depression after he broke things off with her, allegedly via text message.
While Petridis doesn't find "Prism" is authentic spiritually or artistically, claiming it rips off Mariah Carey and Jessie J, Telegraph reviewer, Helen Brown, writes that "Katy Perry sounds like an artist who has finally found herself on her fine new album."
Brown praises "Prism" for being vulnerable through a mix of "electropop bangers and ballads," and while she admits that "Legendary Lovers" is "of the level you might find in a day spa," she adds that "that's overridden by a great, playfully exotic tune, fresh tabla playing and moreish oriental strings." Brown also calls "Ghost," in which Perry confronts Brand directly, a remarkable ballad, though feels that "Walking On Air," which has already been released on iTunes early along with "Dark Horse" (featuring Juicy J) a "forgettable bit of '90s rave nostalgia."
Entertainment Weekly also gave Perry's new project a rave review while acknowledging that she may not be universally relatable, as she is "a white lady whose music - created largely with producers Max Martin and Dr. Luke, who together co-wrote more than half these songs with Perry - generally draws much less from hip-hop and R&B than her peers," but gives the album a solid B+.
My Picks: Legendary Lovers, Birthday, Love Me, Roar, By the Grace of God
