Katy Perry has announced the release date of her forthcoming sixth album ‘143’.
The ‘California Girls’ singer took to her official social media accounts to share the title of the album as well as the cover art which sees her floating in the middle of a pink and blue whirlwind. ‘143’ is set for release on September 20 and is available for pre-sale / pre-order here.
“143” is a code for the phrase “I love you,” which was used often used in the early ’90s via messages sent on pagers. Speaking about the album in a statement (via Variety), Perry said: “I set out to create a bold, exuberant, celebratory dance-pop album with the symbolic 143 numerical expression of love as a throughline message.”
The reveal of the album title and release date comes one day ahead of the premiere of Perry’s comeback single ‘Woman’s World’. The track will mark a brand new era for the singer and is set for release tomorrow (July 11) at 12am BST, 7pm ET and 4pm PST.
Perry previously shared a snippet of the track on her TikTok. “Sexy, confident / So intelligent / She is heaven sent / So soft / So strong,” she sings over a bouncy pop beat. ‘Woman’s World’ will serve as the lead single of ‘143’. You can pre-save / pre-order the CD and 7″ vinyl pressing of the song here.
The ‘Roar’ singer began teasing her new era in May by changing her profile picture. The pop star hinted at her return to music by teasing “one of [her] biggest songs that has yet to come out” whilst speaking at an American Idol event.
Last December, it was reported that the pop star was gearing up to release her “most personal” material yet in 2024. It was said at the time that plans for a world tour were also underway.
2020’s ‘Smile’ is Perry’s last studio album, serving as her fifth record. NME reviewed the album at the time, giving it two stars and writing: “It’s frustrating, as this is the woman behind some of the most fun – and biggest-selling – songs of all time. But as much as you want ‘Smile’ to be a return to form, her fifth album’s songs fail to grip. All in all, ‘Smile’ lacks the fireworks of Perry’s record-breaking years.”
In other news, Kesha recently gave her verdict on the news that Perry worked with Dr Luke – who she accused of emotional abuse and sexual assault in a decade-long lawsuit – on her new music.