Katy Perry Played Me ‘Prism’ and I Almost Died
On September 5, the pop superstar played her upcoming third album at a downtown Manhattan gallery space for a small crowd of press, peers and one super-psyched Myspace staffer. There’s a song featuring Juicy J. And word is the whole album is FLAMES.
Katy played us 11 never-before-heard songs off of Prism. Here are the tracks (in order we heard them, though not necessarily the order on the album) and some notes about them:
“Legendary Lover”
This is a very come hither dancefloor number with cool, echoing tribal parts. Very grown up Katy, as noted before.
“Birthday”
Before playing this track, Katy said she was going for something Mariah Carey might have written on her first album. If she was going for Mariah, this is definitely Mariah on a sugar high. I remember thinking This is exactly the song I want to hear when I walk into a surprise birthday party. (Take note, guys, my birthday is in two months.)
“Walking on Air”
FIRE. FLAMES. I got to hear a bit of this song before because she previewed a short clip of it online, but the WHOLE THING is just flames start to finish. This will probably be her next single. Recorded/written in both Santa Barbara and Stockholm, Katy was clearly inspired by the latter and even got Klas Åhlund (who worked with Swedish pop star Robyn) to produce it. Katy said when she was writing this song, she was inspired by people rollerskating to deep house music in Central Park who looked as if they were “walking on air.” And then she tried to go for a Cece Peniston/Crystal Waters type of sound. Nailed it. Jason was bobbing along to this song, then turned to me and said, “Oh ****, this is my jam!” Same
“Unconditionally”
Katy introduced this one with: “It’s my favorite song on the record. It’s a song I’m very proud to have written.” It’s definitely one of the more serious tracks on the album, but not without a rising pop chorus hook.
“Dark Horse,” feat. Juicy J
Helloooo, grinding music. This song made the people in the back do that rap shoulder shrug dance thing (what do you call them?). But anyway, this song? FIYAH.
“This Is How We Do”
Love this one. This was also recorded in Stockholm, and you can definitely hear the Swedish pop influences. This might be the most fun one on the album. I love this one part where the song fades out and then Katy’s like “No, bring the beat back” and it’s a party all over again.
“International Smile”
This song was written for Katy’s friend, Mia Moretti from The Dolls, who travels around the world as a DJ and makes people on the dancefloor happy. It’s a dancefloor-ready track and there’s no doubt Mia will be DJing this one at her future parties.
“Ghost”
Another standout (in an album of standouts, let’s be real).
“Love Me”
Produced by Bloodshy. “He wrote one of my favorite songs,” Katy said, and then quickly whispered, “‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears.” This seemed like a serious song (about her love life) masquerading as a fun pop song. But she couldn’t mask lyrics like, “No more second-guessing.”
“Double Rainbow”
I think this was one of my favorites and seemed like a sequel to “Firework,” with inspiring lyrics like “You’re one of a kind.” Oh and it was written by Greg Kurstin and Sia. FLAMES. No wait, DOUBLE FLAMES.
“By the Grace of God”
This last one we heard is actually going to be the last song on the record, wrapping up a fun, Swedish pop-inspired record with a soft piano ballad.
Full review:
https://myspace.com/discover/trendin...stening-party/
This reviews only get me more and more excited!
The fact we don't get to hear it for more in than a month is killing me!