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Life and Art from FT Weekend

Culture Chat: why is everyone so mad at Katy Perry?

Oct 11, 2024
Join pop critic Ludovic Hunter-Tilney, with nearly 25 years of experience, and Anne Helen Petersen, Culture Study podcast host, as they dissect the backlash against Katy Perry's new album, 143. They explore its controversial reception, analyzing the muddled feminist message and flawed promotional strategies. The conversation touches on the evolution of Perry’s public persona, the challenges female pop stars face, and the cultural significance of their narratives. Tune in for insights on music, feminism, and celebrity culture!
29:04

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Katy Perry's album '143' has been criticized for its outdated sound and inability to resonate with contemporary audiences, highlighting the pressure on pop stars to evolve with their fans.
  • The controversies surrounding the 'Woman's World' music video reflect deeper issues in feminist representations in pop culture and the challenges female artists face in authenticity.

Deep dives

Katy Perry's Latest Album Faces Harsh Criticism

The release of Katy Perry's seventh studio album, 143, has sparked significant backlash, making it one of the lowest-rated albums on Metacritic for a female artist. Critics have overwhelmingly condemned the album for its outdated sound and lack of substance, describing it as soulless and shallow. The first single, 'Woman's World,' exemplifies this criticism, with reviewers citing its failure to resonate with contemporary listeners and labeling it a dated attempt at pop music. This disappointing reception has led to discussions about the expectations placed on Perry as a once-celebrated pop star and the marked decline in her artistic innovation.

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