Witness Katy Perry’ latest album?

A creative.

A social advocate.

A trailblazer.

Katy Perry continues to entertain the world with her music.

And challenges us with her lyrics.

So here’s my Witness album review:

(1.) Witness

Lyrical love?

Like nothing else.

The album’s opening and title track’s pre-chorus and chorus lyrics speak for all of us.

[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause I, I only got this life
And I ain’t got the time, no
Not to get it right, oh

[Chorus]
We’re all just looking for connection
Yeah, we all want to be seen
I’m looking for someone who speaks my language
Someone to ride this ride with me
Can I get a witness, witness?
Will you be my witness, witness?
I’m just looking for a witness in all of this
Looking for a witness to get me through this. 

In this crazy world, the battle can be lonely.

And we all need support.

(2.) Hey Hey Hey

The chorus is catchy. Sometimes a simple, “Hey, hey, hey” is all you need.

(3.) Roulette

The bass line opens the song with a steady quarter note pulse. Drama. B minor magic. Katy’s vocal line contrasts the bass. The instrumentation dominates this number. Beautiful song.

(4.) Swish Swish (feat. Nicki Minaj)

Great song and rap from two of the most influential women and music – Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj. Feel-good dance.

(5.) Deja Vu

Light instrumentation. Singable, easy-to-follow melody. The beat drops with a kick drum.

Fast-paced electronic dance music.

And then the pop drop.

Addicting and catchy.

(6.) Power

This number features percussion and bass. A slower jam compared to other numbers on the album. The song’s melody is not as catchy as some of the others.

This number is about the inspirational lyrics.

The first verse uses perfect rhyme beautifully.

I was fine before I met you
Truth is that I lost myself inside you
It is not fair to put all that on you
But you took control
Of a vulnerable soul.

 And the chorus is an anthem:

You can’t clip my wings, can’t wield my powers
Stole my time, but I make up the hours
‘Cause I’m a goddess and you know it
Some respect, you better show it
I’m done with you siphoning my power
Power 

Hell hath no fury like a woman
Reborn, and now I’m burning like a blue flame
Once more, but don’t mistake my warn for weakness
Don’t bite the hand that feeds, oh, yeah
I’ll never eat, no-oh

Female power anthems never get old. We need them now more than ever.

(7.) Mind Maze 

Bass guitar, and synth. With a lyrical melody.

And the lyrics.

I’m losing all direction
Slipping into quicksand
I’ve shattered the illusion
Seen behind the curtain
I’m disenchanted
Dancing on a wire
Juggling desire

Every hit gets harder
When you’re fighting without armour
I’m disheartened
 Do I start over?
Rediscover?
Submit to the sweet surrender

It’s a mind maze
All these heart games
Caught in a cage
A complex catch
Am I a common folk?
Will I beat it all?
I’m gonna feed myself and get out of my own way

Concrete imagery creates a beautiful story.

(8.) Miss You More

A slow four-chord progression opens this ballad.

The beat picks up closer to the chorus.

The drums come in at the chorus. Slow and steady.

Drama.

(9.) Chained To The Rhythm (feat. Skip Marley)

Wrote about the album’s hit single earlier this year. The lyrics make this song the epic number it is. The lyrics inspire us all to take action and not live in a bubble. As creatives and as people, we’re free to grow. To explore new creative possibilities.

(10.) Tsunami

A low, underwater-like sound serves as a backdrop.

A short pop drop after the chorus.

Slow. Sultry. Seductive.

(11.) Bon Appetit (feat. Migos)

Dance groove.

Fast and fun.

Savour the flavour.

Bon Appetit.

(12.) Bigger Than Me

Light dance.

Synth.

The chorus illustrates change being difficult but inevitable.

[Chorus]

It’s something bigger than me
Something bigger than me
Yeah, I can feel it opening
Tried to ignore it, but it keeps on growing out of control (out of control)
It’s something bigger than me
And I can feel it happening

Upbeat instrumentation with lyrical inspiration.

(13.) Save As Draft

A beautiful number that illustrates the vulnerability of relationships ending.

The chorus uses rhyme beautifully.

[Chorus]
I struggle
I juggle
I could just throw a line to you
But I should let sleeping dogs lie
‘Cause I know better, baby
I write it
Erase it
Repeat it
But what good will it do
To reopen the wound
So I take a deep breath
And I save as draft.

Relationships ending create change.

Change creates struggle.

Struggle is part of our lives.

Our lives are our stories.

And we are all a work in progress.

(14.)  Pendulum

That oh, yeah, that’s so Katy bass beat drops as the song begins. It’s the heartbeat of the song.

Simple, happy beats. And you’ll want it on repeat.

(15.) Into Me You See

Moderate tempo. Rising bass lines.

The first three lines of the chorus are gold.

Into me, you see
Into me, you see
You broke me wide open, open sesame.

Lyrical ballad.

Because that’s so Katy Perry.

Witness showcases the work and thoughts of an amazing woman in music.

Confusion. Glory. Happiness. Heartache.

Listen to and celebrate the creative trailblazing of an amazing woman in music.

Stream the jams.

Witness the wonders of what it means to be a work in progress.

Witness every aspect of what it is to be human.