About the Album: After the MONSTER run that Katy Perry’s 2010 album Teenage Dream had, the SoCal pop star’s upcoming album, Prism (October 22), has a lot to live up to. Teenage Dream debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced six Top 10 singles. It even delivered five No. 1 singles, making Katy the second musician ever (besides Michael Jackson!) to claim that title. So, you can see why she took a little bit of time to nurse this one to fruition. In the interim, she went through a divorce, started dating John Mayer, and has gotten in touch with her quieter side. One can assume that given these ingredients, the album will have a much darker, stronger, mature nature. There has been talk of a competeition with Lady Gaga since lead singles from both albums got released (or leaked and then released in Gaga’s case) on the same day. Perry’s single has been steadily outperforming Gaga’s but rest assured, the two ladies have both been quoted stating mutual admiration and saying it’s decidedly not a competition. Girl power lives.

Single Spotlight: “Roar” is the perfect single to bridge the lightheartedness of Teenage Dream and what is sure to be some heavier tracks on the rest of the album. It sets the tone and alludes to things to come while still managing to be anthemic, uplifting and catchy as ever.