Katy Perry’s Comeback Faces Trouble, and She’s to Blame

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Katy Perry’s new single, “Woman’s World,” is a retrograde attempt at feminist tribute that feels depressingly outdated. The song’s visuals, complete with Rosie the Riveter imagery, and its lyrics centered on sisterhood and confident sexuality make it sound more apt for a 2016 Hillary Clinton fundraiser than the current musical landscape of 2024.

This track marks Perry’s return to music after two poorly received albums and several years as a judge on American Idol, a show that seems stubbornly resistant to disappearing. Online reactions have not been kind, with Perry facing digital backlash similar to the kind faced by Jennifer Lopez and Justin Timberlake this year.

Critics on social media have scrutinized Perry relentlessly, questioning her ethics, creativity, styling, and choice of collaborators. Viral tweets and memes have depicted her as out of step with the times, painting her as a punchline deserving of mockery and criticism.

Some of the criticism is justified. For instance, “Woman’s World” features production credits from Dr. Luke, who has long denied allegations of rape by pop star Kesha, adding an unsettling layer to the so-called feminist anthem. Other criticisms might feel harsh, but they signal that Perry’s road ahead may be more challenging than expected.

Questions about Perry’s relevance and stagnant sound have been circulating for years. It has been over a decade since Perry released an album without encountering significant backlash. Her 2013 album, “Prism,” with hits like “Roar,” marked the last time she was an unchallenged chart-topper.

Soon after “Prism,” Perry’s career trajectory seemed to wobble. Her 2017 album, “Witness,” attempted to offer “purposeful pop,” although the music didn’t quite align with this ambitious facade. Three years later, “Smile” slightly improved Perry’s standing, but only its lead single, “Never Really Over,” stood out as a truly great track. The rest of the album felt like an artist on autopilot.

In pop music, reinvention is often key. Artists like Madonna have shown that continually evolving is crucial for long-lasting success. Yet, Perry seems stuck, her career characterized by cartoonish music videos and basic lyrics. She recently told Apple’s Zane Lowe that people associate her with songs that are “like captions on T-shirts,” and she appears to be content with that perception.

Perry’s commitment to her current artistic identity is relentless, as demonstrated by the self-referential humor in her “Woman’s World” music video. However, this very dedication makes her increasingly uninteresting as a pop star. Modern pop demands not only catchy tunes but also spectacle, glamour, and a compelling narrative. Perry, unfortunately, isn’t hitting these marks.

Perry first made her mark in 2008 with “I Kissed a Girl,” a cheeky song that established her as a pop star with a sense of humor and a unique sound. Her debut album, “One of the Boys,” featuring hits like “Hot N Cold” and “Waking Up in Vegas,” is still considered her best, selling seven million copies worldwide. She achieved even greater success with “Teenage Dream” in 2010, which tied Michael Jackson’s “Bad” for producing the most number-one singles on the US Billboard charts.

The success of “Teenage Dream” elevated Perry to a different league, but it may have also caught her in a repetitive cycle. Instead of evolving, she seems to have become fixated on replicating her past successes. This stagnation is evident in her return to working with Dr. Luke for her upcoming album “143,” set to release on September 20.

Dr. Luke’s involvement casts a shadow over the new album, introducing a problematic dynamic Perry will have to navigate carefully if she addresses it at all. Truthfulness has become vital in modern pop, with artists like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande openly sharing their personal journeys. In contrast, Perry’s return seems defensive, her motives unclear, and her sound unchanged.

Who is Katy Perry now? Even Perry herself may struggle to answer that question as she attempts to reconnect with a modern audience. “Woman’s World” is currently available.

‘Woman’s World’ is out now