Image: Billboard
With the drop of her sixth studio album, a glint of light is shown in Katy Perry’s Smile. Released on August 28th, 2020 the album is a festival of newfound hope and resilience. Under the white-blue checkered circus tents and shadow of a ferris wheel, this new era of work is a collection of Perry’s inner whims and demons side by side. Over twelve tracks she approaches impending fear, pure joy, a pink-purple Hawaii sky, and ends triumphantly falling in love with her womanhood.
The album opens with the colorful quick-witted “Never Really Over” reminiscing on a past love seemingly incapable of ending, emphasized by the aggressive repetition in the chorus. The album keeps momentum as it glides into “Cry About It Later” with a production that sounds like the anxiety in your chest during the climb of a roller coaster. Escalating quickly and falling into a drop, the song reflects the emotional complexity of ignoring your emotions to have a good night out.
Wandering further into the circus past the metallic rides and tempestuous carousel, the album takes a sharp turn into a field of yellow flowers. “Daisies” is a gorgeous scream resembling life’s pain and blooming it into something winsome. This newfound love for life brings the album to a raging ride of comedic happiness on “Smile” where Perry confidently sings; “Now I got a smile like Lionel Richie/ Big and bright, need shades just to see me/ Tryna stay alive like I’m the Bee Gees.” The tracks seems to be the main event, but not necessarily the most memorable.
After what feels like the most chaotic ride, everything slows down for “Only Love.” A confessional car ride home from the carnival where time feels indefinite. The song boldly expresses what Perry would do on her dying day if she had nothing to lose. The songs explains “Oh, I’d call my mother and tell her I’m sorry/ I never call her back/ I’d pour my heart and soul out into a letter/ And send it to my dad.” The track is arguably the most honest and personable moment on the album.
The album closes with the soft-spoken statement “There it is Katheryn”, a moment where Perry finally seems to reclaim her smile, and overcome the depressive circus plaguing her mind. The end of the album is more of a beginning with the news two days prior to its release. On August 26th, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom announce the birth of their daughter, Daisy Bloom. Katy will now get to walk into this new chapter with her beau, baby, and reclaimed smile.
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