After break, Katy Perry announces new album and tour

NEW YORK, USA – Pop superstar Katy Perry on Monday, May 15, announced a new album and tour, promising a more mature and reflective side after taking time off.

The 32-year-old singer said that Witness, her first album since 2013’s mega-hit Prism, would come out on June 9. (READ: Will Katy Perry respond to Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood?’)

She also announced an extensive tour, for now just of North America, to begin on September 7 in Columbus, Ohio. 

Perry, who will close the North American tour on February 5 in Vancouver, separately will perform next month at the Glastonbury festival in England.

The singer announced the album news on Twitter where she has more followers than anyone else at more than 98 million.

WITNESS THE ALBUM THE TOURIT’S ALL HAPPENINGhttps://t.co/fz83TjrJUr #WITNESSKP pic.twitter.com/Ulx8VYmjTt

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 15, 2017

Perry has already released two tracks from Witness. The first, “Chained to the Rhythm,” has echoes of the disco era along with a reggae off-beat and an appearance by Bob Marley’s grandson Skip Marley.

Perry’s follow-up track, “Bon Appetit,” also has a dance feel but heads in a trap direction with a collaboration by Atlanta hip-hop trio Migos. 

“Bon Appetit” was also startling for its open sexuality, Perry and Migos singing about reaching orgasm. Perry, a favorite among young girls, rose to fame with songs of first-time experiences such as “Teenage Dream” and “I Kissed a Girl.” 

In an interview published last week, Perry – born as Katheryn Hudson to a conservative Christian family in California – said the album reflected her life in her 30s after closing out her 20s.

“I’ve embraced. I’ve surrendered. I’ve healed some of my issues with my family, with my relationships,” she told Entertainment Weekly.

“I built up Katy Perry and she was so fun. And I still am Katy Perry and I love her so much but, at the core, I’m Katheryn Hudson and I think that’s being revealed as I embrace who I really am,” she said.

Perry also told the magazine that one song on the album would explore her feelings after Hillary Clinton’s ill-fated presidential campaign, of which she was one of the most prominent celebrity backers. 

The Clinton campaign was one of the few public appearances in 2016 for Perry, who said she needed time off after her 151-date tour for Prism. – Rappler.com