Katy Perry is back with a new album and a big theatrical tour, but not everyone is impressed. In September 2024, she released 143, her seventh studio album, hoping to bring back the upbeat dance-pop sound that made her famous. However, instead of praise, the album got mostly negative reviews.
Critics said 143 lacked originality and felt outdated. The songs sounded too familiar and didn’t show the creativity fans loved in her past work. One of the most talked-about parts of the album wasn’t even the music, but Perry’s decision to work again with producer Dr. Luke, who has faced serious accusations of abuse. This choice led to backlash from fans and the media, making the album release even more controversial.
Still, Perry moved forward with The Lifetimes Tour, a live show built around the themes of growing up and growing older. The tour tells a story, taking fans through different stages of life — from childhood to old age — using detailed sets, costume changes, and a mix of old and new songs. It’s one of her most ambitious projects yet.
Some reviews have praised the tour’s creativity, calling it immersive and personal, saying it uniquely mixes music and storytelling. But others weren’t as kind, primarily her audience, stated that the show’s transitions between life stages felt messy, questioning whether the story felt truly meaningful or just flashy.
The tour has also attracted attention online, particularly for a segment where Perry appears to float above the stage, meant to represent a passage through time, and for some of the show’s more unconventional choreography. In response to the mixed reactions, Perry has emphasized that The Lifetimes Tour is about more than revisiting past hits — it’s a reflection on personal growth, using music to explore the different stages of life. She’s described the project as an effort to show how she’s changed as both a person and an artist.
Ultimately, The Lifetimes Tour is a bold move. While 143 struggled to connect with critics, the tour underscores Perry’s continued desire to evolve and take creative risks. Whether it’s embraced as a successful reinvention or seen as a misstep, it makes one thing clear: she’s not interested in playing it safe.
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