TRACK BY TRACK: Katy Perry

Katy Perry has had one whirlwind of a career and has come such a long way, both professionally and personally, since her breakout in 2008. She has become one of those artists that nearly everyone can agree always delivers, and after taking a break from the music business following her last effort Teenage Dream (which she promoted for two long years), she’s back and better than ever with Prism, her third studio album jam-packed with a little less pop and a little more urban electric fusion. So much that all you can really do is get up and dance.

We knew Katy could do no wrong, and although she kept us a waiting a little bit, you can rest assured it was worth it, because this record has more hits on it than other younger artists and contemporaries like Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato could only dream of.

To celebrate all things Katy, here’s a track-by-track review of everything awesome about Prism.

1. "Roar"

2. "Legendary Lovers"

It’s almost like a history lesson and a great song all packed into one, with many allusions to great power couples of the past, all under the guise of a very Indian/Far East-themed production that will surely have you screaming along at the top of your lungs and make you want to belly dance all at the same time.

3. "Birthday"

Take a trip back to the late-'70s with Katy’s “Birthday”, which, very much in the same vein as her pop BFF Rihanna’s “Birthday Cake”, is a song that promises her special boy-toy a super sweet birthday celebration, and you can guarantee she isn’t just talking about pastries or dessert...

4. "Walking on Air"

You would think you were in some super-crowded, hip, euro-dance club back in the late-'90s with the way the thumping beats of this song carry through your speakers. But we’re not complaining. We can’t help but get up and strut our stuff whenever this song is played, but was there ever any question with production from the likes of Swedish dance extraordinaire Klas Ahlund? We didn’t think so.

Favorite lyric: “There’s disco paradise / Even heaven is jealous of our love...”

5. "Unconditionally"

Another track making buzz around the internet, “Unconditionally” explores -- what else? -- the love a woman feels for a man despite some hardships. A clichéd story, yet Perry knows how to make it sound different and package it in a way that only she can.

6. "Dark Horse" (ft. Juicy J)

Former Three 6 Mafia band member and ratchet rap connoisseur Juicy J joins Katy in this guilty pleasure, which is indeed a new trap music anthem. Whether you can or care to twerk, you’ll surely be hooked onto “Dark Horse” whenever that oh-so deadly beat drops.

7. "This Is How We Do"

Every good pop album needs that “IDGAF I wanna party” song, and “This Is How We Do”, silly title aside, is just that. Not an album highlight by any means, but for what it is, it’ll be really fun to jam out whenever you’re getting ready for a big weekend out on the town.

Favorite lyric: “This goes out to the ladies eating breakfast in last night’s dress!”

8. "International Smile"

Where the previous song was Prism’s party theme, “International Smile” is the “you’re unique, no matter how offbeat you are” track, and even though it can surely be skipped, it’s still a good listen if you do so happen to be feeling a little down on yourself.

Favorite lyric: “That girl's a trip, a one-way ticket / Takes you miles high, so high / 'Cause she's got that one international smile…”

9. "Love Me"

A plea to all the girls who let relationships dictate how they feel about themselves, “Love Me” is both upbeat and deep in that it Perry thinks you should love yourself and pay no attention to any insecurities that prevent yourself from liking you. The main motif: you have to love yourself before you let someone else love you. Much better than “International Smile” in that it seems -- no, it is much more heartfelt and genuine.

Favorite lyric: “But now, I don't negotiate with insecurities / They always seem to get the best of me / I found I had to love myself the way I want you to...”

10. "This Moment"

The usual thumping beats found on the majority of Prism are this time accompanied with a matching guitar riff, and Katy is singing about what she sings about best: being young and in love. We are most definitely not mad at Katy for this stellar record, and it’s probably one of, if not the best songs on the entire album.

11. "By the Grace of God"

Perry throws it back to her roots growing up in a religious household with the closing record of the album, stating how, by the grace of God, she was able to make it through some of the lows of her life; some of those lows having recently unfolded during her ascension into pop music royalty.

Favorite lyric: “Now, every morning, I hope there is no more mourning / Oh, I can finally see myself again…”

The entirety of this album is a jewel for all the Katy Cats out there, and we can only hope that a long-overdue Grammy win is in Katy’s near future. Goodness knows that, after so many years, of being in the spotlight, and so much good music to show for it, she more than deserves that shiny gold trophy validating her artistry as a queen of pop.

(Photo via WENN)

- Raffy Ermac, YH Staff