Katy Perry is back with a new album, 143, and it’s Katy Perry doing what Katy Perry does, pop music. Katy’s last few albums have felt formulaic, and 143 is the same. Each song is less than three and a half minutes to be radio friendly, guest vocalists (21 Savage, Kim Petras, Doechii, and JID) are needed to add some What’s-Current cred, and the album is highly over-produced.
There aren’t any “I Kissed A Girl” or “Peacock” tracks on 143. Katy seems to have outgrown her sense of humor, although some of the lyrics and video imagery is laughable. 143 might be new music but it’s nothing new to the music scene. “I’m His, He’s Mine” samples the old-school smash “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” but misses a golden opportunity to get Crystal Waters in to lend some vocals. If Katy’s not going to create something new musically than at least serve some nostalgia.
143’s overall message is confusing since it feels like Katy is going for female empowerment but the music videos are anything but. It’s hard to take someone seriously with lyrics like “Hide your men and daddies, real gorgeous-ass savvies / Pretty girlies get whatever we want, know we take advantage” (“Gorgeous”) or “Kitty, kitty wanna come party tonight / Trippy, trippy daddy, take me on a ride” (“Gimme Gimme”). Katy has always appeared to be more in control of her message, but this album feels like The Man has taken the reins.
143 a good album but I think a more appropriate title would have been Gimme My Paycheck, at least in my gay opinion.
