Prism

Katy Perry's fourth studio album, Prism, arrived on October 18, 2013, via Capitol Records. Initially conceived as a darker follow-up to Teenage Dream, the record instead pivoted to bright, dance-pop territory. Perry reunited with longtime collaborators Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Benny Blanco, while also bringing in Stargate, Greg Wells, and Cirkut. The album's 13 tracks feature guest vocals from Juicy J of Three 6 Mafia on "Dark Horse." Lyrically, Prism explores living in the moment, relationships, and self-empowerment, with Perry aiming for a more personal and mature tone. Critics praised the introspective lyrics but some found the production formulaic compared to her earlier work.

Prism debuted at number one in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and several other countries, becoming Perry's fastest-selling album in America. It sold over eight million copies worldwide and earned multi-Platinum certifications in a dozen nations. The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album. Lead single "Roar" topped the Billboard Hot 100, as did "Dark Horse" later. Subsequent singles "Unconditionally," "Birthday," and "This Is How We Do" kept momentum high. Perry supported the album with the Prismatic World Tour, which spawned a 2015 concert film. [edit]