In the world of A-list pop veterans, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Katy Perry are all several years removed from studio solo albums. Billboard doesn’t expect Perry’s next album to drop this year, though we have reason to be more hopeful for the other two.
Billboard doesn't know ****, they are just speculating based on "insider info" and insiders know nothing about what Katy is doing, otherwise we'd know too at this point.
pretty sure Billboard is more reliable than random radio DJs and "insider" Twitter accounts (which are the only people who have said it's coming this year), although Billboard didn't say they had spoken to Katy's reps so they might just be talking out of their ass. ugh I don't know what to believe!
It seems every year whatever new big song is #1 in February is #1 for like 10 weeks.