KATY PERRY – ‘LIFETIMES’

BY JANIN AYALA FELIX | AUGUST 8, 2024 | ELECTRONIC | TRACKS

Katy Perry’s “Lifetimes” is a track that tugs on heartstrings, but not without a touch of controversy. Shot in the idyllic yet environmentally fragile Balearic Islands, the song’s accompanying video stirred up local anger, with the provincial government claiming it was filmed without proper authorization and may have caused damage to the protected dunes of S’Espalmador. Capitol Records, however, stood by their claim that they had received approval, adding a layer of tension to the song’s otherwise sentimental message.

Musically, “Lifetimes” takes a nostalgic dive into Italo house, a style known for its bouncy beats and late-night grooves, while Perry delivers her signature pop vocal stylings. Co-written by a powerhouse team including LunchMoney Lewis and Sarah Hudson, and produced by Vaughn Oliver and Dr. Luke, the track attempts to capture the intimate relationship between Perry and her daughter Daisy Dove Bloom. Perry explained that the song was inspired by her daughter, a reflection of love that transcends time. “Every night before we go to sleep, I say, ‘I love you,’ and then I ask, ‘Will you find me in every lifetime?’ and she says, ‘Yes,'” Perry shared in interviews, framing the song as a deeply personal ode to maternal love.

While the sentiment is touching, critics have noted that “Lifetimes” doesn’t quite break new ground for Perry. Callie Ahlgrim of Business Insider went so far as to call the song “generic and formulaic,” with lyrics that feel repetitive. It’s an understandable critique—after all, this is a Katy Perry who, at her peak, delivered era-defining anthems like Teenage Dream and Firework. Compared to those hits, Lifetimes feels like it’s walking the well-worn path of pop comfort, leaning on Perry’s tried-and-true themes of love, devotion, and optimism without adding much innovation.

The Italo house production does offer a fresh angle, blending danceable beats with Perry’s familiar pop melodies. The production is clean and efficient, but lacks the explosiveness or boundary-pushing experimentation that could have set it apart from a sea of other pop offerings. In that sense, “Lifetimes” feels more like a safe play for radio rather than a bold artistic statement. Its success on the charts, particularly with a modest number 89 debut in the UK and similar low-key positions in Croatia and the Czech Republic, seems to reflect its middling reception.

What makes “Lifetimes” worth a listen is not its chart performance or its video controversy, but the genuine emotion at its core. The song may not be revolutionary, but it’s sincere. Perry has always excelled at translating her personal experiences into universally relatable pop moments, and in that sense, Lifetimes is no different. For those who have followed her career from her bubblegum hits to her more mature, introspective work, “Lifetimes” offers a glimpse into Perry’s evolution as both an artist and a mother.

In the end, while “Lifetimes” might not join the ranks of Perry’s career-defining singles, it carries a quiet sweetness. It’s a love song for every lifetime, wrapped in a sleek Italo house package—perfect for easy-listening playlists, if not for the history books.

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