Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream” (Capitol)
Katy Perry is back with her second major studio album “Teenage Dream” a supposed more adult sound to her 2008 release, “One of the Boys”. Her album is a diary snapshot of her wacky paired relationship with shock comedian, Russell Brand and her overall party demeanor. It boasts a blend of pop, electronic rock, heavier than her previous album, particularly on the synth aspect.
The popular summer anthem “California Gurls” blared on every teenage girls’ IPod and beat up car stereo system. The bubbly and bright pop song featured an unusual fellow star, Snoop Dogg, also deems to be an apparent response to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys respective hometown anthem, “Empire State of Mind”. Memo to Katy Perry, you do not get as much “credit” as you think for having a rapper in your song.
The over synthesized electro pop “E.T.” makes her sound even more robotic if remotely possible. It stays true to its alien-esque title. She croons, “Wanna be a victim/Ready for abduction/Boy, you’re an alien/Your touch so foreign/Its supernatural/Extraterrestial.” Comparing love and sex to aliens is best left to James Cameron, although many may debate he may not even have a tight grasp on it himself.
The album title track and “retro pop” second single, “Teenage Dream”, is as strong as she appears to get. She strains her voice to covey the feelings of youthful bliss and love and immediately reminds you of your jittery awkward high school crushes.
The real bread winner in the bunch is the eclectic gay club staple “Peacock” were she not so coyly makes a play on words, “Are you brave enough to let me see your peacock?/
Don't be a chicken boy, stop acting like a beeotch/Come on baby let me see/What you're hiding underneath/I wanna see your peacock, cock, cock/Your peacock, cock”. Utter shock may overcome you at this point, but let us not forget this queen also brought us “I Kissed a Girl”.
Katy Perry makes an attempt to make a deeper imprint on our youth and she definitely succeeds. The numbing and over produced songs make for perfect elevator music for the current pop-loving youth.
