Prism
by Katy Perry
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Oct 22, 2013
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2180 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,494 out of 2180
  2. Mixed: 243 out of 2180
  3. Negative: 443 out of 2180
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  1. jyo_tirmaya
    Jun 28, 2014
    10
    This album is a step up from Katy Perry's two prior proper albums, and Katy can really pen a good pop song with a spiritual message and not be Christian rock at the same time. There is something about this girl that just makes me want to love her and her work. "Roar," "Unconditional," "Dark Horse" are just some of the highlights on this album and I'm wondering why she's just receivingThis album is a step up from Katy Perry's two prior proper albums, and Katy can really pen a good pop song with a spiritual message and not be Christian rock at the same time. There is something about this girl that just makes me want to love her and her work. "Roar," "Unconditional," "Dark Horse" are just some of the highlights on this album and I'm wondering why she's just receiving mediocre critic reviews. I think she's actually just a step ahead of the critics. I love Katy Perry!… Expand
  2. Teodoro
    Jun 20, 2014
    5
    Album legalzinho,até escutável,temos boas músicas com Dark Horse e Legendary Lovers mas tantas músicas sujam o album.
    O album levaria um 4,mas darei 5 por ainda ter a esperança da Katy anterior.
  3. jz3h
    Jun 18, 2014
    7
    水果这专跟上专比有明显的转型，但并不是彻底地“黑暗”。“ROAR”发行后很惊讶跟之前的她很不一样，虽然有人觉得不抓耳，不好听，但我觉得很耐听。听到全专后，“Legendary Lovers”、“Birthday”都很抓耳，放在专辑前两首就是想要听的人继续听下去，“Unconditionally”虽然不如前两首抓耳，但秀恩爱歌曲加上歌词版MV很感人，看完歌词版MV我就爱上了这首歌。这专虽然歌曲没有”Teenage Dream“出彩，但首首都很耐听。水果这专跟上专比有明显的转型，但并不是彻底地“黑暗”。“ROAR”发行后很惊讶跟之前的她很不一样，虽然有人觉得不抓耳，不好听，但我觉得很耐听。听到全专后，“Legendary Lovers”、“Birthday”都很抓耳，放在专辑前两首就是想要听的人继续听下去，“Unconditionally”虽然不如前两首抓耳，但秀恩爱歌曲加上歌词版MV很感人，看完歌词版MV我就爱上了这首歌。这专虽然歌曲没有”Teenage Dream“出彩，但首首都很耐听。
  4. jareddz
    Jun 13, 2014
    10
    This album is perfect. MUCH BETTER THAN TRASHPOP BY LADY CRAPGA. Katy is a real artist that knows what we want to hear. I'm so glad that she made this perfect album!
  5. rhp2014
    May 21, 2014
    4
    Honestly a very catchy top 40 record. Now it's not amazing at all, but it's good for what it is. Most of the singles are guilty pleasures, but the rest of the LP falls flat.
  6. andrechrstf
    May 5, 2014
    7
    PRISM does not reveal to be a revolutionary moment indeed, though it may bring the causal listener some good surprises. Songs like Roar and Dark Horse could perfectly fit in ''Teenage Dream", but there are times in PRISM we face Perry making an effort to release more mature stuff or more sophisticated pop music. If you want to give a try, don't skip Legendary Lovers, By the Grace of GodPRISM does not reveal to be a revolutionary moment indeed, though it may bring the causal listener some good surprises. Songs like Roar and Dark Horse could perfectly fit in ''Teenage Dream", but there are times in PRISM we face Perry making an effort to release more mature stuff or more sophisticated pop music. If you want to give a try, don't skip Legendary Lovers, By the Grace of God and Spiritual.… Expand
  7. beyndversace
    Apr 13, 2014
    1
    This album is a nursery rhyme record. I gave it 1 because there is atleast one decent song in this album, and that for me is Spiritual, and the fact that Katy didn't even write that song makes me cringe.
  8. Felipe_Kohn
    Apr 5, 2014
    7
    I don't believe that Prism want the top of Billboard. Not just it. The musics Roar and This is How we do are some of boring musics. She needed to care about the musical bridges. It'd dinamize this album. But the rest, it's a awesome album.
  9. edsmedeiros
    Mar 30, 2014
    6
    not a bad album, much more coherente than her previous albums. the second half of prism is just so similar, i could not separate songs and truly pay attention to the lyrics because it felt like a big 20 minute song that was just tiring to hear, but still there are some crazy good songs like "dark horse" "birthday" "legendary lovers" which will probably be hits and be singles in the nextnot a bad album, much more coherente than her previous albums. the second half of prism is just so similar, i could not separate songs and truly pay attention to the lyrics because it felt like a big 20 minute song that was just tiring to hear, but still there are some crazy good songs like "dark horse" "birthday" "legendary lovers" which will probably be hits and be singles in the next two year promoting of the album… Expand
  10. aladinkicks
    Mar 22, 2014
    0
    While being her career best, PRISM is only a tad bit more mature than her previous albums, and ends up sounding less inspired, mostly due to the overwhelming amount of useless ballads. The album drags on superfluously, and is hardly memorable at all. Obviously this album (and all of its songs) will wipe out the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200, as this album seems to be perfectly cutWhile being her career best, PRISM is only a tad bit more mature than her previous albums, and ends up sounding less inspired, mostly due to the overwhelming amount of useless ballads. The album drags on superfluously, and is hardly memorable at all. Obviously this album (and all of its songs) will wipe out the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200, as this album seems to be perfectly cut out for that sole objective.
    Well played, Perry.
    Especially after (barely putting up with) listening to it again, PRISM sounds dated, boring, and just flat-out awful.

    Best Songs- Walking On Air, Legendary Lovers, Ghost
    Worst- Dark Horse, Roar, Birthday, ALL OF THE BALLADS    … Expand
  11. MatthewDon2002
    Mar 1, 2014
    7
    While Prism has some great songs, and Perry's voice is beautiful, it feels like the ulterior motive behind this album was to produce a mainstream hit, and while, yes, every album does that, Prism feels like there's no emotional meaning BUT to make a hit.
  12. MaryJane
    Feb 27, 2014
    4
    Prism, de Katy Perry, é bom, mas não vale um grammy.

    Katy Perry veio com Prism, que promete ser com certeza um álbum recheado de sucessos para a carreia de Katy, porém, mais uma vez, a cantora não traz nada demais. Com músicas boas, Katy Perry continua presa em sua zona de conforto, e a cada música escutada você começa a ter a impressão de que a cantora lança single já pensando em #1.    Prism, de Katy Perry, é bom, mas não vale um grammy.

    Katy Perry veio com Prism, que promete ser com certeza um álbum recheado de sucessos para a carreia de Katy, porém, mais uma vez, a cantora não traz nada demais. Com músicas boas, Katy Perry continua presa em sua zona de conforto, e a cada música escutada você começa a ter a impressão de que a cantora lança single já pensando em #1. Se Katy Perry quiser mesmo um grammy, precisa mudar muito e deixar de ser uma escrava da Capitol Records.
    Melhores do álbum: Legendary Lovers, Walking On Air, Dark Horse e Unconditionally    … Expand
  13. matiasortiz
    Feb 16, 2014
    1
    this album avoids any artistic intention, it was just made for the charts and for the money, this young beautiful lady can't even write a song by herself, and when it comes to the voice it's like hearing a 5 year old girl dreaming with being a star. Horrible.
  14. SierraCha
    Jan 23, 2014
    5
    This album disappoints me greatly and I have been a die-hard fan. I like some of it, but I still feel frustrated. It lacks the "escapism" of Teenage Dream. In ET and California Gurls the videos are actually portrayed on an entirely different world--not earth! The fake hair, colors, personas, and alternate reality Perry created was escapism at its best and brought me joy. I could goThis album disappoints me greatly and I have been a die-hard fan. I like some of it, but I still feel frustrated. It lacks the "escapism" of Teenage Dream. In ET and California Gurls the videos are actually portrayed on an entirely different world--not earth! The fake hair, colors, personas, and alternate reality Perry created was escapism at its best and brought me joy. I could go to "Katy Perry Land" for a while where clothing is optional on cotton candy clouds and everything is candy coated, colorful, magical and fun. Sexy, beautiful aliens fell from the sky. It was SO special.

    Prism has ok songs, but it doesn't transport me anywhere and that is why it feels unfulfilling and bland. It is just catchy pop songs, with a pop star who is very familiar, and that makes it not so special. I'm ok with her "maturing", and trying out different sounds and images, but I still want to be transported SOMEWHERE (more interesting than in my car listening to the radio, or dancing in a club to another familiar beat).

    Burning the blue wig also made me sad. I feel betrayed. Candyland is gone. She set it on fire and burned it. I would prefer to not live in a world where I never see Katy Perry in a blue wig again. :(

    You don't have to destroy the old (that we all loved) in order to move on with something new. They are not mutually exclusive.    … Expand
  15. felupp
    Jan 8, 2014
    7
    For the first time we hear a more mature beat coming from katy perry.
    PRISM actually shows more mature, and the first step to a career outside the field of comfort, if Katy administer it correctly, the charts being the least important.
  16. mrivanlm
    Jan 5, 2014
    5
    for me, prism is like a "teenage dream 2" i don't see any change in the music, she's not evolving as an artist and that's not good, yes maybe she's having success now but if she doesn't change, she'll not be remembered and her music will be forgotten, but i have to say there's some good and catchy songs: International smile, dark horse, birthday
  17. Diamandis
    Jan 3, 2014
    5
    Not impressed at all. Crude work. This album had to be different but it sounds recycled and boring. There are few songs that are worth to be heard. Katy needed to cook this album and give it more life if its idea is based on "light". Most recommended song is "Roar".
  18. JuleFirework
    Jan 1, 2014
    10
    10 upon 10 for this one. Too much beautiful and relatable songs. The songs may seem shallow to some but I know that her songs has achieved the best achievement ever, that is putting a smile on its listeners face. Its great that songs like Roar esp are enjoyed by young children and the amount of fun they have bouncing about and singing to it is the reason why this album really lives up to10 upon 10 for this one. Too much beautiful and relatable songs. The songs may seem shallow to some but I know that her songs has achieved the best achievement ever, that is putting a smile on its listeners face. Its great that songs like Roar esp are enjoyed by young children and the amount of fun they have bouncing about and singing to it is the reason why this album really lives up to its tagline and theme. Full of positivity and one album that will turn that frown of yours upside down. However beware of the 13th song for it is the most standout track among the others.… Expand
  19. Mrmik
    Dec 31, 2013
    7
    PRISM is a pure pop. Good easy-to-listen songs with nice lyrics. Maybe there is less number of potential hits than in Teenage Dream, I see a progress in her artistic work. The best songs for me are: Birthday (so catchy!), Walking On Air (Sounds like in 90s! Yay!), Dark Horse (I haven't expected such song from Katy) and By the Grace of God.
  20. zeus07
    Dec 30, 2013
    8
    PRISM does bring out a lot of KATY's artistic colours out in the open... The album has a lot to offer and Katy plays it very well when it comes to giving it a 100%!! From ROAR to IT TAKES TWO, the album never gets boring for even a second... Dark Horse It takes Two and Unconditionally are a must listen for they capture you in a bubble which soothes you down!! PRISM is one of the bestPRISM does bring out a lot of KATY's artistic colours out in the open... The album has a lot to offer and Katy plays it very well when it comes to giving it a 100%!! From ROAR to IT TAKES TWO, the album never gets boring for even a second... Dark Horse It takes Two and Unconditionally are a must listen for they capture you in a bubble which soothes you down!! PRISM is one of the best efforts by KATY so far...... it is one of the best albums of 2013...… Expand
  21. Evancharles
    Dec 23, 2013
    1
    Filtered garbage. When are people gonna open their ears and venture out into real, talented, original, mature and inspirational music? Mainstream is such trash. Do people even care that her lyrics feel like they've been written by a bunch of outcast 12 years? Of course they don't.. Nobody even tries anymore in mainstream and it's sickening.. "They're so talented and artistic" seriously?Filtered garbage. When are people gonna open their ears and venture out into real, talented, original, mature and inspirational music? Mainstream is such trash. Do people even care that her lyrics feel like they've been written by a bunch of outcast 12 years? Of course they don't.. Nobody even tries anymore in mainstream and it's sickening.. "They're so talented and artistic" seriously? Listen to a real band and get your heads out of your preteen girl asses. It's sad really. The more famous they become the worse they get, happen all the time not only with Katy perry but with everyone. Of course nobody will listen to people like me. We're "idiots" and can't appreciate anything People will say. Think of it like fast food compared to authentic food made from scratch. People will flock to large chains like mcdonalds cause it's cheap easy and taste good. Nobody wants to taste the real thing anymore and people really just don't give a … Expand
  22. WarriorLotus
    Dec 22, 2013
    5
    I get what Katy was going for. She was going for that spiritual refreshing breeze of sound. She most certainly did it. But, like all Katy albums. There are too many song attached to this album that just aren't supposed to be there (Birthday, This Is How We Do, International Smile). These are good songs, but they provide nothing more than a catchy beat. There a really good songs thatI get what Katy was going for. She was going for that spiritual refreshing breeze of sound. She most certainly did it. But, like all Katy albums. There are too many song attached to this album that just aren't supposed to be there (Birthday, This Is How We Do, International Smile). These are good songs, but they provide nothing more than a catchy beat. There a really good songs that provide the goal of the album (Legendary Lovers, Love Me, Unconditionally).

    Best songs-
    Legendary Lovers
    Love Me
    Dark Horse

    Worst song(s)-
    This Is How We Do    … Expand
  23. justsaying
    Dec 21, 2013
    0
    What is this? I mean, what she tried to do? Had she tried to break away from it all one day she ever done? She wasnt so different from Teenage Dream, except the part that Prism has a lot of boring musics! Katy, I dont hear you roar.
  24. Ronsjunior
    Dec 19, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Queen of Billboard come back with this album amazing. Roar, Dark Horse futures hits. No more, the best album from 2013. Best than Teenage Dream, she renove the music pop with this album.… Expand
  25. MetaMaster
    Dec 16, 2013
    10
    Amazing !

    This Album is just awesome
    much ballad, very cheerful music
    songs of self control and music to make it clear that you send.
    Congratulations katy.
    music highlights
  26. sanyrub
    Dec 15, 2013
    5
    Katy Perry is one of the most basic artists out there. This album proves it again. Corny music and lyrics. Very repetitive as she can only do what she can with her voice (and I´m not even reviewing her real singing voice without the auto-tune). Only really good tracks are Legendary Lovers (still corny) and Dark Horse. The rest is just bad. The usual from this type of artists. Where are theKaty Perry is one of the most basic artists out there. This album proves it again. Corny music and lyrics. Very repetitive as she can only do what she can with her voice (and I´m not even reviewing her real singing voice without the auto-tune). Only really good tracks are Legendary Lovers (still corny) and Dark Horse. The rest is just bad. The usual from this type of artists. Where are the real big talented names in mainstream music? Like it used to be in the 80s and 90s? Sad state music industry is in.… Expand
  27. robcrusoe
    Dec 14, 2013
    5
    Commercially, this is a very successful album. The songs will do very well on the radio because of their catchy tune and positive lyrics. The songs seem to be made for the sole reason of radio play, though.
  28. Oween
    Dec 14, 2013
    10
    Unlike previous albums ''Teenage Dream'' & ''One of the Boys'', ''PRISM'' really shows Katy's vocal and lyrical talent. It's a big evolution from the theme of Teenage Dream. The album is totally original and very different. Personally the album opener ''Roar'', which also served as the lead single and gave Katy her best first week single sales in US with over 500,000 copies sold, wasn't aUnlike previous albums ''Teenage Dream'' & ''One of the Boys'', ''PRISM'' really shows Katy's vocal and lyrical talent. It's a big evolution from the theme of Teenage Dream. The album is totally original and very different. Personally the album opener ''Roar'', which also served as the lead single and gave Katy her best first week single sales in US with over 500,000 copies sold, wasn't a great album opener choice. I think Love Me would've been a great album opener because of the great into, but that doesn't matter. Roar is definitely one of PRISM's highlights and one of the more pop tracks. Katy originally promised a ''dark'' era & album, but that all changed when she let the light in, the album became an album about Katy finding herself & inner power and even self-reflection. I don't have a favourite or a least favourite because the album is so well put together and diverse at the same time. Fun songs like This Is How We Do,Birthday,Walking On Air and International Smile have really big single potential and summer hit potential. That group of songs would be great radio hits and should be considered as futures singles. Then songs like By The Grace Of God,Double Rainbow,Choose Your Battles should be chosen as singles to close off the album like the 6th/7th single. Overall the album is full of meaningful and inspirational songs that have huge potential to have chart success. Katy has already had major success with thus album, PRISM had the largest first week sales by a female since Madonna's MDNA back in early 2012 and also the largest first week sales by a female of 2013. Roar has been nominated for 2 Grammy's in 2014 and Roar has also became the fastest selling song in digital history. The lead single has been having massive longetivity and so is the album. PRISM sold 1M after 5 weeks, a sum that took 9 weeks to reach for Teenage Dream to hit when it opened with 195,000 back in 2010. So as you can see Katy is breaking records and achieving more and more success with every year. This all makes PRISM's second single ''Unconditionally'', which is Katy's favourite song from the album look small but as of December 14th, it's currently peaked at 14 on the Billboard Chart, not bad for a single that's not to be released until December 16th, right after Katy gives it massive promotion on the X-Factor UK's final. It's been overshadowed by Roar still but an unexpected hit third single ''Dark Horse'' is currently being put into place. So, if all this has not made you want to buy/listen to PRISM, i don't know what will. Again, the album is full of deep personally songs all written by Katy, that if have the right treatment, could become massive hits.… Expand
  29. Truthteller123
    Dec 11, 2013
    10
    Once again katy perry had created a good records
    Even if the album wasn't at the price of 0.99 cent(born this way)
    It climbed to the heart of many without needing to please our wallets
  30. stfuadam
    Dec 9, 2013
    2
    Overall, Katy Perry's ''PRISM'' is an extremely bland album (even boring at points) with little intention other than to be on top of the charts. Key tracks are ''Unconditionally'', ''Dark Horse (feat. Juicy J)'' and ''Legendary Lovers''.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2013
11
#11 Most Shared Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Dec 6, 2013
    40
    Everything that is missing from [Lady Gaga's Artpop] is here, but everything that is good about it is spectacularly absent from Prism.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    Nov 22, 2013
    40
    Prism feels transitional, the work of an artist clever enough to be restless, yet unable to split from a winning formula. [Dec 2013, p.110]
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Nov 14, 2013
    70
    It doesn’t require the patience or emotional/intellectual involvement that albums I typically listen to require. The cool thing, though, is that it does have quite a bit of redeeming value.
    Read full review
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