Katy Perry’s ‘143’ doesn’t have a single redeeming song
Katy Perry in a press photo for “143.”
If you’re a pop-music fan who spends time on the internet, you’ll probably see a slew of negative reviews for Katy Perry’s new album, “143.” You might even start to believe the criticism is overblown or prejudicial, a cliché result of herd mentality.
I’m here to assure you that is not the case. The adverse reaction to Perry’s seventh major label release is very much earned, if even a little generous.
This is the first album I’ve ever reviewed that doesn’t have a single cut I would recommend to a friend. At least Perry’s previous washout, 2020’s “Smile,” boasted the presence of “Never Really Over,” which remains a career peak for Perry. Here, on “143,” there’s no standout track, no obvious highlight.
Songs like “Lifetimes,” “All The Love,” and “Nirvana,” which are forgettable yet listenable at the very least, only stand out by contrast. If they had been included on a better pop album, they’d easily fall into skip territory.
The best chunk of “143” is Doechii’s verse in “I’m His, He’s Mine,” which the duo performed during Perry’s VMA medley. But even the self-described Swamp Princess can’t inject enough substance or charm to rescue the song from its watered-down Crystal Waters sample and lifeless la-da-dee-la-da-da’s. It feels like Perry and her producers — in this case, Dr. Luke and Rocco Valdes — took a classic dance tune and surgically removed its soul.
Indeed, “143” can’t be appraised in good faith without mention of Dr. Luke and the controversy that surrounded his reunion with Perry.
Before this year, the embattled producer hadn’t worked with Perry since he was sued by Kesha (a one-time friend of Perry’s) in 2014 for sexual, physical, and emotional abuse during her time signed to his label, Kemosabe Records.
Dr. Luke denied all of Kesha’s claims and countersued for defamation. The two parties reached an undisclosed settlement last year, shortly before Perry confirmed she was working on new music.
When Perry launched the “143” era in June, fans who supported Kesha during her lengthy legal battle were disappointed that Dr. Luke, an accused abuser, was confirmed as a producer on the lead single “Woman’s World,” an attempted female-empowerment anthem. But that was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to Dr. Luke’s involvement.
Asked to explain why she decided to work with Dr. Luke again, Perry gave a noncommital, imprecise response: “I understand that it started a lot of conversations, and he was one of many collaborators that I collaborated with,” she told “Call Her Daddy” host Alex Cooper. “But the reality is, it comes from me.”
The actual reality is that Dr. Luke is all over this album, credited as a producer on every song but one: the closing track, “Wonder.”
Most of the album’s coproducers, including Valdes, Aaron Joseph, Vaughn Oliver, and Theron Thomas, are Dr. Luke’s frequent collaborators, protégés, and Kemosabe signees. Perry didn’t simply choose to work with Dr. Luke again; she immersed herself in his creative inner circle.
Dr. Luke, Katy Perry, and Cirkut attend the 2014 Grammys.
Even if you set aside the allegations against Dr. Luke, “143” doesn’t make a strong case for his input. This is nowhere near the inventive, charismatic pop that made him an in-demand producer in the aughts.
Back in the day, Perry’s alliance with Dr. Luke yielded two hits on her 2008 debut album with Capitol Records (“I Kissed a Girl” and “Hold n Cold”), then five hits on her seminal sophomore album in 2010 (“Teenage Dream,” “Last Friday Night,” “California Gurls,” “The One That Got Away,” and “E.T.”).
Those songs were designed to be fun and radio-friendly, of course, but they were also endearingly weird.
At that time, no one could’ve accused Perry of being boring. She arrived in the pop pantheon as one of one, gleefully equipped with cherry chapstick, candy-colored wigs, whipped cream bras, and alien-sex fantasies. Her producers managed to match her freak with climactic beat drops, swelling choruses, and sticky melodies.
However, none of those aforementioned songs were solo endeavors for Dr. Luke. His name was always joined in the credits by Max Martin, Benny Blanco, or both — which now, in retrospect, seems like a crucial piece of information.
Without them, Dr. Luke and his new associates have created a pop vacuum, completely devoid of heart and personality.
“143” sounds like an AI bot was asked to make a Katy Perry parody album. These songs are mind-numbingly repetitive, aiming for nostalgia and landing somewhere in between stale and imitative.
“Gimme Gimme,” the second track featuring 21 Savage, immediately recalls the plinky snoozefest of Justin Bieber’s “Changes,” particularly the Quavo duet “Intentions.”
Perry’s next track, “Gorgeous,” somehow sounds exactly the same, even though it swaps the rap feature for routine harmonies, courtesy of longtime Dr. Luke disciple Kim Petras.
“Crush” is a blatant Kylie Minogue knockoff. “Artificial,” another collab featuring JID, attempts to clone the cyber-sultriness of “Dark Horse” and largely succeeds — except it’s 2024, not 2013, so it’s not interesting anymore.
For an artist like Perry, who’s made motherhood and “feminine divine” energy a cornerstone of her brand, it’s difficult to justify crawling back to Dr. Luke under any circumstances — but especially if it was just to make something this unimaginative.
Flat synths and anonymous lyrics dominate the “143” landscape. Perry was never considered a lyrical mastermind, but her signature humor, once warm, wet, and wild, has melted like a popsicle. We’re left with syrupy slop like, “Kitty, kitty, wanna come party tonight / Trippy, trippy, daddy, take me on a ride,” and “Yeah, I got those palpitations / Those boom-boom-booms.”
“I wanna know the truth, even if hurts me,” Perry repeatedly sings in the penultimate track, “Truth,” no fewer than eight times.
Well, if that’s what she wants, then I’m happy to oblige.
Final grade: 1.8/10
Katy Perry’s new album “143” consists of 11 standard tracks.
Worth listening to: N/A
Background music: “I’m His, He’s Mine,” “Lifetimes,” “All The Love,” “Nirvana”
Press skip: “Woman’s World,” “Gimme Gimme (featuring 21 Savage),” “Gorgeous (featuring Kim Petras),” “Crush,” “Artificial (featuring JID),” “Truth,” “Wonder”
