Katy Perry has released her latest single, “Lifetimes,” a dazzling and energetic tribute to the boundless nature of love. The track is part of her highly anticipated album, 143, set to drop on September 20 via Capitol Records.
“Lifetimes” encapsulates the timeless essence of love, with Perry describing it as a song about “eternal love.” She reflects on the deep, satisfying connections that transcend time, whether with a partner, child, friend, or even a pet. Perry shares a touching personal moment, revealing how she asks her daughter every night, “Will you find me in every lifetime?” to which the answer is always a heartfelt yes. This sentiment beautifully captures the core message of the song—that love, in its truest form, will find you again and again, through lifetimes.
The official music video for “Lifetimes,” directed by Stillz—known for his work with Bad Bunny and Rosalía—complements the song’s summer vibe. Filmed in the breathtaking setting of Ibiza, Spain, the video made its premiere across MTV platforms and even graced the iconic Paramount Times Square billboards.
Katy Perry’s latest single, “Lifetimes,” is a track that, while more palatable than her previous release, “Woman’s World,” ultimately fails to make a significant impact. Despite some positive reactions from her core fan base—YouTube comments under the “LIFETIMES” video range from “The fact this wasn’t the first song released is criminal,” to “Whoever is responsible for her rollout is diabolical. This is way better than ‘Woman’s World'”—the consensus outside of Perry’s loyal followers has been lukewarm at best.
“Lifetimes” struggles to capture the broader audience’s attention, with its reception being largely indifferent. Unlike “Woman’s World,” which stirred up social-media conversations during its launch, “Lifetimes” has largely slipped under the radar, failing to inspire the same level of interest or excitement.
The song itself, penned by eight cowriters, is disappointingly unremarkable and suffers from noticeable repetition. Perry’s promise to “love you ’til the end and then repeat it” becomes literal as the song recycles the same five lines over and over for three minutes and 12 seconds, creating a monotonous listening experience.
While repetitive lyrics are a common feature in club music—a genre Perry seems to aspire to with “Lifetimes”—the track lacks the energy and dynamism that defines true club hits. In the current “Brat” summer music scene, “Lifetimes” would feel out of place in a vibrant Ibiza Boiler Room set, where tracks like “365” or “Spring Breakers” dominate. Instead, as some on social media have suggested, the song would be more at home in an episode of “Love Island” during a villa dance party.
Perry’s upcoming album, 143, is available for pre-order now.
As excitement builds for the album’s release, Perry is gearing up for some major live performances. She will headline Rock in Rio in Brazil on September 20, marking her return to the festival since 2015. The following week, she will take the stage at the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment for the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final in Melbourne, Australia, on September 28.
Photo credit: Aidan Cullen