View source for PRISM

{{Album
| image = PRISM.jpg
| caption = 
| artist = [[Katy Perry]]
| recorded = 2012-2013
| released = October 18, 2013
| length = 48:13
| producers = [[Katy Perry]]<br>[[Max Martin]]<br>[[Dr. Luke]]<br>[[Henry Walter]]<br>[[Bloodshy]]<br>[[Greg Wells]]<br>[[Benny Blanco]]<br>[[Klas Åhlund]]<br>[[Greg Kurstin]]<br>[[Stargate]]
| genre = Pop
| label = [[File:CapitolLabel.png|70px]]
| name = PRISM
| previous = Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection
| previous link = Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection
| next = Witness 
| next link = Witness
|type=studio|singles=}}
'''''PRISM''''' is the fourth studio album and third mainstream studio album by American recording artist [[Katy Perry]]. It was released on October 18, 2013 by Capitol Records. Recording for the album began in 2012, following the March 2012 re-release of her August 2010 album ''[[Teenage Dream]]'', subtitled ''[[Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection|The Complete Confection]]'', and continued into the following year. The album's composition was mostly inspired by Swedish dance music artists such as Robyn. In order to create her desired sound, Perry worked heavily with Swedish producer Max Martin, while also enlisting past collaborators Dr. Luke, Cirkut, Greg Wells, Benny Blanco, and StarGate, as well as new collaborators Klas Åhlund, Bloodshy, and Greg Kurstin.

It debuted atop of the US Billboard 200, with Perry's best opening week to date (286,000 copies sold). The album also peaked at number one in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Prism became Perry's fastest-selling album, the second best-selling album in Australia in 2013, and the second best-selling album released by a woman in the United States in 2013. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry reported that Prism was the sixth best-selling album in the world in 2013, the best-selling album in the world in 2013 released by a woman, and labeled Perry as "A global phenomenon."

The release of the album was preceded by the release of two singles. "Roar", was released on August 10, 2013 as the album's lead single. It became a huge commercial success and Perry's eighth non-consecutive single to top the US Billboard Hot 100. "Unconditionally" was released as the album's second single on October 16, 2013 as the record's second single and was a moderate commercial success worldwide. In between the release of these two tracks were the releases of promotional singles "Dark Horse" on September 17 and "Walking on Air" on September 30, 2013. "Dark Horse" was released as the album's third single three months later on December 17, 2013 and became Perry's ninth single to top the US Billboard Hot 100.
==Background and development ==
In a Fall 2012 interview with Billboard, Perry stated about ''Prism'': "I know exactly the record I want to make next. I know the artwork, the coloring and the tone..... I even know what type of tour I'm doing next. I'll be very pleased if the vision I have in my head becomes a reality." She also mentioned that she did not want the album to be a "Teenage Dream 2.0", stating: "That would be silly. It's not of any interest for me to try and outdo myself at every corner". Furthermore, she declared: "I am doing little things here and there. I was just in the studio with another artist and it turned out all right. I'm going to start dusting off the wheels just a little: [I'm] going in with a couple of people in November [2012] and try out fun collaborations that maybe people wouldn't imagine".

While she was on the California Dreams Tour, Perry started recording "fragments" of ideas she had on her phone. She entered the studios in November 2012 along Greg Kurstin and Greg Wells, but felt that she was in a "dark place" and postponed them. Perry went through an "intensive" period of self-examination, including a trip to Africa, and the sessions began in March 2013 again. She reunited with Dr. Luke, Bonnie McKee, and Cirkut in her hometown, Santa Barbara, California. From there, she headed to Stockholm, where she worked with Max Martin, Stargate, Benny Blanco, Juicy J, Jonatha Brooke, Sia Furler, Bloodshy, and Klas Åhlund. Perry then suggested that they should release the album in the fourth quarter of 2013. In April 2013, Perry stated that the album was halfway complete and deemed it "schizophrenic", while adding: "When I tell the record company when I want to release the album, that's when the race starts. That's when I put pressure on myself". About the recording sessions and production, Perry said: "As a team we have certain strengths, with Max, it's melody choices, Luke is production and I'm top line and melody. Working with Bonnie McKee is like an emotional abuse session, Bonnie and I argue [like] we're in the ring fighting for the best lyric". Two months later, McKee revealed that Perry and herself wrote four tracks together and added that they were more "grown up". The following month, McKee also stated: "Well, you know, we work with [producers] Dr. Luke and Max Martin, they're like melodic geniuses..... [Luke] and [Max] come back [to us] with the track and we kind of find the story within the track".

After Perry's initial devastation from English actor/comedian Russell Brand divorcing her in late December 2011, she felt influenced to make a "darker" album than her previous studio efforts. During a June 2012 interview with L'Uomo Vogue, the singer stated: "It was inevitable, after what I went through. If I had a time machine and could go back in time, I would. But I can't, so, you'll discover another part of me". Perry claimed that she "hadn't let the light in" when the recording sessions for ''Prism'' started in November 2012. The creative process behind ''Prism'' turned it into a different album from what Perry expected: the singer felt inspired while watching a six-minute video by Eckhart Tolle, author of the self-help book The Power of Now. She stated: "When you lose something, all your foundations crumble-but that also leaves a big hole that's open for something great to come through." Perry ultimately took a more positive direction with the record. The singer revealed to MTV News: "There's not really any darkness on the record. There's definitely some textures and colors but I think I was saying that when I saw going through a different phase, but I really let that light in." Perry ultimately described ''Prism'' as "more organic, au naturale [sic], vulnerable and honest" than ''Teenage Dream'', but as having "the same amount of fun" of the latter.

==Promotion==
On July 29, 2013, a big golden truck driving in Los Angeles revealed that the album is titled "Prism" and will arrive on October 22, 2013, Katy tweeted: "Find the ''Prism'' semi, take a picture and I'll RT you. Don't worry, Los Angeles is just the first stop on the map." The truck made stops through varies cities in the U.S., however, on August 9, 2013, the truck was hit by a drunk driver in Pennsylvania. After hearing the news, Katy tweeted: "The #PRISM semi is bumped and bruised but she is a champion! She will return."

Prior to the release of "Roar", Perry released four teasers, all of which stated the single would be released August 12, 2013, though the single was released two days earlier than expected. The first teaser showed her burning the blue wig she wore in her 2010 "California Gurls" music video, revealing the song title and planned release date. The second teaser showed her at a funeral for her trademark peppermint swirl outfit. The third teaser showed a cat eating a feather toy and roaring afterwards. The fourth teaser showed Perry walking into a recording studio. The latter two teasers contain snippets of the song. On the day of its iTunes release, Perry promoted the song's release in New York City.

On August 20, 2013, fans were given the opportunity to unlock song titles, lyrics, and snippets from ''Prism'' by tweeting #KATYNOW. After fans heard the two snippets, they chose which one they wanted to be released in full on September 17, 2013 before the album is released. The two snippets were "Dark Horse", featuring rapper Juicy J, and "Walking on Air". At the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards on August 25, 2013, "Dark Horse" was declared the winner with Perry giving a brief description of each song afterwards. Perry stated that with "Walking on Air", she wanted to "really wanna bring that kind of authentic 90's deep house song styling back". Perry stated that "Dark Horse" was written with friend Sarah Hudson and described the song as having an "urban kinda hip-hop flavor". She describes its lyrics as "a witch warning this man not to fall in love with me and if you do just know I'm gonna be your last". Perry also tweeted that "Dark Horse ft Juicy J is just a PREVIEW of #PRISM when released on Sept 17, NOT the 2nd single".

On September 5, 2013, a ''Prism'' listening party took place, where all the guests including several music critics listened to the album. The songs played included "Walking on Air", "Unconditionally", "Dark Horse", "Double Rainbow", "Legendary Lovers", "Birthday", "This Is How We Do", "International Smile", "Ghost", "Love Me", and "By the Grace of God". She revealed its album cover the following day on Good Morning America. A second ''Prism'' listening party took place on September 6, 2013 in Atlanta, while a third took place September 12, 2013 in Los Angeles; during the Los Angeles party, the album's tracklist was revealed. All 13 tracks on the album's standard edition were played at this party, including "This Moment," which was played for the first time.

On October 23, 2013, Perry hosted the "We Can Survive" concert along with Kacey Musgraves, Sara Bareilles, Ellie Goulding, and duo Tegan and Sara at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, where she performed her ''Prism'' tracks for the first time. On August 12, 2013, during an On Air with Ryan Seacrest interview, when asked if she will miss anything from the ''Teenage Dream'' era, she replied: "I'll probably be integrating it in a new way especially when I go on tour next year. It will just be kind of an evolved version of ''Teenage Dream''. And when you see me on tour, you're always going to get the songs you want to hear… I'm not deserting any of it". She will begin a tour to promote the album on May 7, 2014.

"Dark Horse" featuring Juicy J was released on iTunes as the first promotional single on September 17, 2013. After two days of sales, "Dark Horse" debuted at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and inside the top ten at number ten itself on the New Zealand Singles Chart. Perry first performed "Dark Horse" on September 20, 2013 at iHeartRadio Music Festival. "Walking on Air" was released on iTunes as the second promotional single on September 30, 2013. Katy also headlined for closing the iTunes Festival on September 30, 2013, where she performed "Roar", "Dark Horse", "Walking on Air", and "By the Grace of God".

==Composition==
"Roar", a midtempo, synth-driven power pop song, opens ''Prism''. It contains elements of folk rock, arena rock, and glam rock. Lyrically, it is an "empowerment anthem" in which Perry stands up for herself, having "discovered her power within". Perry described the song as "a record about self-reflection and self-empowerment and learning to deal with the curve balls that life throws you every single day." She also mentioned that: "Who can be the biggest bully in the equation is yourself and can get in your way and it's a song about [standing up] and speaking up for yourself and having the strength".

"Legendary Lovers" was referred as the song with "the most interesting chorus", ("Take me down to the river / Underneath the blood-orange sun / Say my name like a scripture / Keep my heart beating like a drum"). Perry described the song as having "a little bit of curry in it", while James Montgomery, writing for MTV, stated that the song "simmers slowly before breaking out in an arabesque gallop". Furthermore, it was also includes a breakdown near the bridge, a bhangra-based instrumental, and was deemed a "hazier, spacier version of Perry's typical love song".

"Birthday", a Mariah Carey influenced track, was called a "stone-cold stunner" with "the most smash potential". Gary Trust from Billboard believed that the song is a future Billboard Hot 100 number one contender. The fourth track and second promotional single, "Walking on Air", was produced by Klas Åhlund. Perry aimed for a 90's house song-oriented sound, listing CeCe Peniston's "Finally" and Crystal Waters' "100% Pure Love" as examples of the sound she was trying to reach for.

"Unconditionally", Perry's personal favorite song on the album, is a "soaring" power ballad with an "epic chorus". Jason Lipshutz from Billboard noted that the song includes a "woodblock percussion" as well as "a dramatic bass line" and deemed it the album's "most mature offering". He called it "an ode to love that looks past all flaws" and, furthermore, stated that the song acts as a "compellingly grounded predicate" to the title track from Perry's previous effort. Capitol's executive vice president Greg Thompson stated that "Unconditionally" is destined to become "the wedding song of 2014". Perry herself described the song as a song about unconditional love that could come in all forms, including those from relationships, from parent-to-child, and from sibling-to-sibling.

"Dark Horse" is the album's first promotional single. It was produced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin. Spin magazine praised the song's "soaring hooks and sleekly sculpted production" and called it an "obvious hit". Jenna Hally Rubenstein from MTV stated: "Flanked by a heavy, menacing bass line, 'Dark Horse' might not be about black hats, cauldrons, and other Halloween-y things, but it is a slice of trap-tinged pop that sounds like a clear departure from Katy's lighthearted, Jane of the Jungle-themed Roar". Jason Lipshutz stated that "The verses of 'Dark Horse' are built around icy rhythms and chopped-up vocal samples, until Perry wades into the crescendo and asks, "Are you ready for, ready for / A perfect storm, perfect storm?" Carolyn Menyes from Mstarz compared the song's beats and rhythm to those of "E.T." from ''Teenage Dream''. Perry stated that the song has "an urban kinda hip-hop background flavor to it", adding that they lyrics "are kinda witchy and dark, it's as if I was a witch warning this man not to fall in love with me, and 'if you do just know I'm gonna be your last'".

"This Is How We Do", produced by Max Martin and Klas Ahlund, was described as being the possible "song of summer [2014]". Shirley Halperin from The Hollywood Reporter described "This Is How We Do" as "a sunny 80s throwback", while Edna Gundersen from USA Today described it as a "buoyant pop blast with hip-hop underpinnings" and praised the song's recurring refrain ("It's no big deal!"). James Montgomery from MTV called the song a "cocksure, club-ready banger". Nate Jones compared its lyrics to "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" from ''Teenage Dream'', though felt its lyrics were less comedic.

With "Double Rainbow", produced by Greg Kustin and co-writer Sia Furler, Perry was allowed to "dump pent-up emotions" and "get things off her chest". The song was described as a "massive ballad". Jason Lipshutz deemed it as a "breathy love track" with a "powerful chorus that explodes upon impact" with lyrics that include "One man's trash is another man's treasure / so if it's up to me, I'm gonna keep you forever". He added that "Kurstin brings the pop sensibility he's flashed with artists like Kelly Clarkson and P!nk, while Sia's presence connects this sleek, shimmering pop track to [her David Guetta collaboration] 'Titanium'". Elijah Sarkesian felt that "Some of Katy's finest vocals of the album are on this song".

Perry described "Love Me" as a song "about loving yourself the way you want to be loved". Edna Gundersen called it "irresistibly catchy and energetic". The song was produced by Bloodshy.[15] Elijah Sarkesian called it "an interesting mix – the lyrics are dark, but the music is very dance-centric. At the very least, it'll do well in clubs". James Montgomery stated that "Love Me" and "International Smile" both "seem destined for the dance floors". The latter was inspired by Perry's friend Mia Moretti, and was compared to the songs on Perry's previous album, ''Teenage Dream''. Jason Lipshutz called it a "straightforward pop-rock offering" and described its guitar hook as "kicky", adding that the song also includes a "Melting Daft Punk-esque vocoder breakdown". Shirley Halperin stated that in the song, Perry sings the "hooky" line: "Please fasten your seat belts and make sure your champagne glasses are empty". Nate Jones compared the song to "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)", and particularly praised the saxophone solo at the song's end.

Shirley Halperin described "This Moment" and "Ghost" as "mid-tempo ballads that are closest in DNA to Perry's previous smashes". Perry stated that she was inspired to write "This Moment" after she heard the audio book of The Power of Now; the song's lyrics talk about "living in the present"; with Perry "add[ing] a romantic spin" to it. Gary Trust described "Ghost" as a "mesmerizing ballad", while Edna Gundersen described it as "powerful, dark, and haunting". Jason Lipshutz felt that "Ghost" and "By The Grace Of God" contain the album's "most somber moments".

==Release ==
On September 10, 2013, it was announced that Katy Perry would be working with Walmart to create a deluxe 'ZinePak version of the album. Fans were asked to participate in its creation to ask Katy a question in which she will answer in the 'ZinePak.<ref>http://www.facebook.com/katyperry/posts/10151671426051466</ref> The 'ZinePak includes a 64-page interview magazine that Perry helped create, an embroidered patch, 49 nail decals, temporary tattoos that symbolize each of past albums, a sample of the fragrance Killer Queen, and a seed pack.

On October 15, 2013 Katy Perry announced a special limited edition version of the album will be released in the United States. The Facebook message read: "In the US, the first 300,000 copies of the deluxe version of my new album comes in this limited edition iridescent package and will contain special #PRISM seed paper - plant the PRISM and spread the light!"<ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151668199686466&set=a.124576886465.114765.7126051465&type=1</ref>

Due to full deluxe version of the album leaking on October 16, 2013, ''Prism'' became available for streaming online on Katy Perry's official website on October 17, 2013. The same day the album was made available for streaming, Perry announced on her Facebook page the album would be released in Ireland, Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia on October 18, 2013 followed by a worldwide release on October 22nd.
:"What do Italy, Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia have in common? They all get #PRISM Friday! DON'T WORRY if it's not in stores for you yet..... I've made PRISM available to stream here until it goes world wide on TUESDAY: http://smarturl.it/PRISMpreview. I'm really excited to share these songs with you all..... I'm so proud of them. Will u let me know what u think & how they make u feel please? And which one is your favorite o' course."<ref>http://www.facebook.com/katyperry/posts/10151671426051466</ref>
<gallery orientation="landscape" widths="175">
Prism zine pack.jpg|Walmart 'ZinePak edition
prism special.jpg|Special digipackaging with seed paper insert
</gallery>

==Commercial performance ==
The week after its release, ''Prism'' debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 286,000 copies in its first week. This marks Perry's second number one album in the United States, as well as her highest album first week sales of her career. To date, it has sold over 1.56 million copies in the United States and over 3 million copies worldwide.

==Singles==
[[File:Roarbykatyperry.jpg|link=Roar|right|120px]]
*'''"[[Roar]]"''' is the album's lead single. The song was announced as the lead single via four video teasers on [https://www.youtube.com/user/KatyPerryVEVO Perry's Vevo channel]. "Roar" was sent to US radio on August 10, 2013, and was released onto iTunes and YouTube two days later. The song debuted at 85 on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the chart three weeks later, becoming Perry's 8th number one song on the chart. The song stayed at the number one position on the chart for two weeks. "Roar" has sold over 6.4 million copies in the United States alone as of February 2017. The song has been accused of copying "Brave" by Sara Bareilles while Dillon Francis felt the song's lyric video copied his idea of instant messaging in his video "Messages". Sara addressed the controversy, stating she knew about "Roar" before its release, and felt the accusations were unnecessary. A music video for "Roar" was released on September 5, 2013 and currently has more than 2 billion views on YouTube.
[[File:Unconditionally.png|link=Unconditionally|right|120px]]
*'''"[[Unconditionally]]"''' is the album's second single. It was released on October 16, 2013. Described as a breathy love track, Perry has stated that the power pop ballad is her favorite song off of the album. On November 10, 2013, she performed the song at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards. The song debuted at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at number 14. Its music video debuted on MTV on November 19, 2013 and currently has 200+m views on YouTube. She also opened the 2013 American Music Awards with a performance of the song on November 24, 2013. As of January 2015, the song has sold over 1,200,000 copies in the United States.
[[File:DarkHorse.jpg|link=Dark Horse|right|120px]]
*'''"[[Dark Horse]]"''' is the album's third single, released on December 17, 2013. It was first released as the first promotional single off of ''PRISM'' on September 17, 2013. Fans voted in a Pepsi Poll on Twitter what would be the first promotional single off of the album. "Dark Horse" won against "[[Walking on Air]]." The song features the rapper Juicy J. After two days of sales, the song debuted at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and inside the top ten at number ten itself on the New Zealand Singles Chart. Drawing critical and radio acclaim, the song was released as the third official single. The song spent four consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. This marks Perry's thirteenth top ten hit on the Hot 100, as well as her ninth chart-topping single. As of February 2017, the song has sold over 6.3 million downloads in the United States alone. This makes "Dark Horse" Katy's third best-selling single in the United States, after "[[E.T.]]" and "[[Firework]]." A music video for the song was be released on February 20, 2014. The music video, which has an Egyptian theme, won the award for Best Female Video at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. The music video is also Perry's most-viewed to date, the second one being Roar. The music video has currently more than 1 billion views.
[[File:Katyperrybirthdayuncensored.jpg|link=Birthday|right|120px]]
*'''"[[Birthday]]"''' is the fourth official single from the album.<ref>http://popdust.com/2014/02/26/get-the-balloons-out-because-birthday-is-katy-perrys-next-single/</ref> It was officially announced on April 3, 2014, with Katy Perry asking her fans on twitter to trend the hash-tag #BIRTHDAY and once achieving the number one trending spot, released the single cover featuring a throwback picture of her older sister, [[Angela Hudson]]'s birthday as a kid. It was officially released on April 21, 2014. Peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, it sold around 500,000 copies in the United States. A lyric video was uploaded to YouTube on 10 April, 2014 and after that, a music video was released on April 24, 2014. The music video saw Katy crash five different birthday parties while dressed in different costumes of different characters, like Goldie the Dancer, Princess Mandee, Yosef the MC, Kris the Clown and Ace the Animal Trainer.
[[File:TIHWD-Alternate.png|link=This Is How We Do|right|120px]]
*'''"[[This Is How We Do]]"''' is the album's official fifth single. It was released to radio on July 28, 2014, and the lyric video was uploaded on YouTube on July 24, 2014 followed by a music video on July 31, 2014.<ref>http://www.weibo.com/1820116475/BezyTkrpA</ref> The song peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video has currently over 400m views.
===Promotional singles===
*"'''[[Walking on Air]]'''" was released as the second promotional single off of ''PRISM'' on September 30, 2013. Upon the release Perry described the song as yet "another color from my PRISM". The song debuted at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 12 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

==Track list ==

'''Standard edition'''

{| class="table table-condensed" style="width: 620px;"
! width="40px" |No.
! width="480px" |Title
!Length
|}
{| class="table table-condensed" style="width: 620px;"
|1.
|"[[Roar]]"
|03:42
|-
| 2.
|"[[Legendary Lovers]]"
|03:44
|-
|3.
|"[[Birthday]]"
|03:35
|-
|4.
|"[[Walking on Air]]"
|03:42
|-
|5.
|"[[Unconditionally]]"
|03:49
|-
|6.
|"[[Dark Horse]]" (feat. Juicy J)
|03:35
|-
|7.
|"[[This Is How We Do]]"
|03:24
|-
|8.
|"[[International Smile]]"
|03:48
|-
|9.
|"[[Ghost]]"
|03:23
|-
|10.
|"[[Love Me]]"
|03:53
|-
|11.
|"[[This Moment]]"
|03:47
|-
|12.
|"[[Double Rainbow]]"
|03:52
|-
|13.
|"[[By the Grace of God]]"
|04:28
|}

'''Deluxe edition'''

{| class="table table-condensed" style="width: 620px;"
! width="40px" |No.
! width="480px" |Title
!Length
|}
{| class="table table-condensed" style="width: 620px;"
|14.
|"[[Spiritual]]"
|04:36
|-
|15.
|"[[It Takes Two]]"
|03:54
|-
|16.
|"[[Choose Your Battles]]"
|04:27
|}

===Outtakes===
List of songs written/recorded for the album, but were left unused or given to other artists.

*"[[Bad Photographs]]" ''(turned into [[Miss You More]] for [[Witness]])''
*"[[Black Widow]]" <small>(given to Iggy Azalea for ''The New Classic'')</small>
*"[[Boomerang]]"
*"[[Heartache Crusade]]"
* "[[In Flames]]"
*"[[North Star]]"
*"[[Passenger]]" <small>(given to Britney Spears for ''Britney Jean'')</small>
* "[[She's So Creepy]]"
*"[[Something in the Air Tonight]]

==Photoshoot==
<gallery>
PRISM photoshoot 1.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 2.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 3.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 4.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 5.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 6.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 7.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 8.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 9.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 10.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 11.jpg
PRISM photoshoot 12.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Prism}}
[[ru:Prism]]
[[Category:Albums]]
[[Category:Studio albums]]