By Chase L. Manson ’16
THE ROUNDUP
“Prism” by Katy Perry
8 out of 10
There is no denying that Katy Perry has carved her way into a modern day pop music icon.
As she consistently tops the charts, Perry’s new album is chock-full of potential hits.
“Prism” is the follow up to record breaking album “Teenage Dream” and is supposed to show a darker side of the singer.
I like “Teenage Dream,” but I really like “Prism.”
“Prism” is a fun disco era pop album channeling 80s singers and contains an experimental taste for Perry while still retaining the joyful sound she is known for.
The album is fun to listen to, every song has a high point, but some also have low points.
The album starts off with first single, “Roar.”
Even after listening to this song over and over again on my iPod and on the radio, I still find enjoy it.
The next two are “Legendary Lovers” and “Birthday,” which both included sassy remarks, listenable beats and enjoyable lyrics. These two are among my favorites.
“Walking On Air” contains the trend started by the two predecessors; it remains fun but still enjoyable. Nothing is really spectacular but just a nice filler.
The next song is “Unconditionally,” the album’s second single.
This song changes up the lightheartedness tone in favor of a more serious one.
The production value in this is very high, and everything about it is superb. This is the love song for 2014.
This song is the bridge into the more experimental side of the album.
“Dark Horse,” is a hip-hop, pop-infused song and features rapper Juicy J.
This song is a definite standout, as the beat drops and rapping are superb.
After “Dark Horse” comes “This is How We Do,” which is the best song off the entire album.
Fun and enjoyable, it is a great listening experience and captures the innocent side of Perry.
“International Smile” and “Ghost” are good but somewhat forgettable.
“International Smile” is trying to be “This is How We Do” and while it captures the fun of the song it just doesn’t succeed. The vocals seem a little week and it feels a little cartoonish.
“Ghost” as well seems weak, just not capturing the fun theme of the album. It is the transition into the more “emotional” side.
It just doesn’t work. It is like a party pooper bringing down the fun I am having listening to this album.
The tracks following continue to disappoint as they fail to bring the emotional level Perry was striving for.
“Double Rainbow” is a cluster of dispassionateness. I really do not like it and what really annoys me is I do not know why.
After this skippable track comes “By the Grace of God,” which is the emotional track I have yearned for.
It is heartbreaking and gives insight to Perry as an artist. Using her divorce with Russell Brand she channels the pain and emotion to make a very heart-filled track.
In the deluxe version none of the extra songs added are really rememberable; they seem to be filler.
