Smile
by Katy Perry
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Aug 28, 2020
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 11514 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9,454 out of 11514
  2. Mixed: 291 out of 11514
  3. Negative: 1,769 out of 11514
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  1. diegfernand
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I wanted it to love but the albums doesn’t fully do it for me. There are some standout songs like the awesomeness from What Makes A Woman but the album needs soul and I can’t see the resiliency in her journey.… Expand
  2. dzinsowy
    Dec 26, 2020
    6
    ‘Smile’ is quite reminiscent of Perry’s old works, especially ‘Teenage Dream’. It has catchy and cheerful bops. The clown theme doesn’t really fit the record and there are many tracks that just sound like rushed fillers (looking at you ‘Resilient’!)
  3. Saeed666
    Aug 29, 2020
    5
    Owls are medium level. It contains many topics that are considered expendable or we can say that they are repeated and do not remain in the memory
  4. nerveofjosh
    Aug 29, 2020
    6
    This album has great singles and inspiring writing. On the negative, so far it seems like there’s not as much replay value as I expected with the new tracks. The rollout was confusing and messy. She also left one of the best songs off the standard edition, Small Talk. I believe she left that song off the album due to poor feedback from fans.
  5. Jann_Junx
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    Si bien hay excelentes canciones como Cry About It Later, Champagne Problems, Teary Eyes y Only Love, Katy Perry nos sigue dando más de lo mismo, sigue sin verse una evolución como artista, existe un gran contraste entre tracks y en ocasiones parece que reciclo ritmos de Teenage Dream y PRISM, siendo que no puede dejarlos atrás ya que fueron sus eras más exitosas y quieter seguirSi bien hay excelentes canciones como Cry About It Later, Champagne Problems, Teary Eyes y Only Love, Katy Perry nos sigue dando más de lo mismo, sigue sin verse una evolución como artista, existe un gran contraste entre tracks y en ocasiones parece que reciclo ritmos de Teenage Dream y PRISM, siendo que no puede dejarlos atrás ya que fueron sus eras más exitosas y quieter seguir replicando ese éxito. Espero que para la próxima era por fin logre reinventarse y planear mejor la temática ya que ni en eso cuadra con las canciones, dio una temática cirquense que fuera de Smile no hay nada más que la respalde.… Expand
  6. michcl
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    Despite nearly flawless highlights ('Never Really Over', 'Not The End of the World'), Smile does not meet expectations. The album is only 37 minutes long, yet it feels way too long, the same can be said of many tracks even though they are barely 3 minutes long. Most tracks are way too repetitive and the album feels monotonous, tracks like 'Only Love' and 'Harleys in Hawaii' are the rareDespite nearly flawless highlights ('Never Really Over', 'Not The End of the World'), Smile does not meet expectations. The album is only 37 minutes long, yet it feels way too long, the same can be said of many tracks even though they are barely 3 minutes long. Most tracks are way too repetitive and the album feels monotonous, tracks like 'Only Love' and 'Harleys in Hawaii' are the rare songs to slightly change the sound of the album. When 4 out of 12 tracks should have been cut, the album is average at best.… Expand
  7. phlgss
    Aug 28, 2020
    4
    While, overall, this isn't as offensive bad as her previous "effort", Witness, it also doesn't have the interesting highs that album had --Roulette, Tsunami, DejaVu, Bon Appetit. So what you end up with is a collection of mediocre (not terrible, just very mediocre) songs that add nothing to anything, much less to Katy Perry's artistic merit.

    If you put Katy's discography from Teenage    While, overall, this isn't as offensive bad as her previous "effort", Witness, it also doesn't have the interesting highs that album had --Roulette, Tsunami, DejaVu, Bon Appetit. So what you end up with is a collection of mediocre (not terrible, just very mediocre) songs that add nothing to anything, much less to Katy Perry's artistic merit.

    If you put Katy's discography from Teenage Dream to this album on shuffle, you won't be able to pinpoint what album is each song from. They all sound the same. There is no artistic growth at all. Lyrically, she remains using the same cliches and predictable phrases you'll find on cheap inspirational Instagram accounts.

    The saddest part of this album isn't that you have to bash it for being terrible, while trying to be something. That was the case for Witness, which despite being terrible, had something going for it. She TRIED to do something with that. She failed, because she obviously didn't have it in her to pull it off, but there was effort there. The saddest part of this album is that it clearly shows that she doesn't even try anymore. It says more about her as an "artist" than about the album itself.

    At the end, it isn't good, it isn't bad, it's not anything. It's just there.

    I would say that the only offensively bad thing here is that album cover. Jesus.    … Expand
  8. mlkasa
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    It was ok, just typical Katy music, so I guess we stan, but eh, it’s already outserved by all the other bops this year
  9. mangohomo
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    I ended up liking 5 of the 12 songs. With "Champagne Problems" we are left with essentially the same verse twice and an annoying chorus. Overall, the choruses (and pre-choruses) fell flat for me on 'Smile'. I also thought a track named "Resilient" would be a stand-out but what should've felt more tender and empowering comes off as a bit bland and lacking emotion. Maybe some of it isI ended up liking 5 of the 12 songs. With "Champagne Problems" we are left with essentially the same verse twice and an annoying chorus. Overall, the choruses (and pre-choruses) fell flat for me on 'Smile'. I also thought a track named "Resilient" would be a stand-out but what should've felt more tender and empowering comes off as a bit bland and lacking emotion. Maybe some of it is falling short production-wise and doesn't carry her vocal well? Either way, I was expecting more and looking forward to the emotional exploration of obtaining her "Smile" and finding more happiness and love for herself and the content of this album is very watered down. Stand out tracks: Never Really Over (this and 365 with Zedd are chef's), Teary Eyes, Not the End of the World, and What Makes A Woman. The collection of tracks released in 2019 -- 365, Never Really Over, Small Talk, and even Never Worn White from earlier in 2020 -- seemed to be from a prior version of a would-be album then remade into what eventually came about with Smile. Sticking to the sound of those tracks and running with it would have made for a more enjoyable album. Anyhow, who am I but a pop music fan in his 20s leaving a review on here. Katy's making money, has become a new mother, and is proud of this album so cheers to her.… Expand
  10. Dayream_
    Aug 28, 2020
    4
    Its good but its not my favourite I mean c´mon you can do it better. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  11. PocCritc
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    Básico, ultrapassado, e preso no pop. Sem referência de novas tendências. É falho, apesar de alguns pontos altos (Champagne Problems, Never Really Over)
    No geral, o álbum é descartável e esquecivel
  12. Yoana
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    Parabéns é bem melhor que o Witness, mas não sai muito do lugar comum dos outros álbuns.
  13. nickfroes
    Aug 28, 2020
    4
    We know for the lyrics that this álbum had some deep means to her, in the songs shes approaches some personal stuf. But in the end, thats what you expect from an artist, kind like a moral obligation as a lyricist music singer. The album is very simple, reminds me of some pop radio songs that she made in the beggin of her carrer. In fact, any song of this project could be in a album fromWe know for the lyrics that this álbum had some deep means to her, in the songs shes approaches some personal stuf. But in the end, thats what you expect from an artist, kind like a moral obligation as a lyricist music singer. The album is very simple, reminds me of some pop radio songs that she made in the beggin of her carrer. In fact, any song of this project could be in a album from Selena Gomez or whatever ex disney act. There is nothing knew or memoreble. Not that this is a bad album or the songs aren't worth it, is just that, theres better things to listen in 20k… Expand
  14. PotterheadGleek
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    While other artists are making albums so you can dance in your house, Perry's "Smile" makes you think and reflect about your life until this moment. It is true some of the songs are forgettable but I believe Katy didn't want to make a commercial pop album.
  15. vitorxcx
    Aug 28, 2020
    4
    It's not a good album and it doesn't deserve public universal acclaim, people are giving high scores here just for pain wich is no good in my opinion.
  16. Jaz_Grant
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    Katy Perry ha pasado por una mala administración de su contenido creativo. El constante bombardeo de singles ha hecho que se pierda el interés en su música por parte del público general, logrando que se incluyan singles de hace más de un año de lanzamiento en "Smile". De este nuevo material discográfico solo pudieron apreciarse siete nuevos tracks, pues cinco ya habían sido estrenados. ElKaty Perry ha pasado por una mala administración de su contenido creativo. El constante bombardeo de singles ha hecho que se pierda el interés en su música por parte del público general, logrando que se incluyan singles de hace más de un año de lanzamiento en "Smile". De este nuevo material discográfico solo pudieron apreciarse siete nuevos tracks, pues cinco ya habían sido estrenados. El concepto de circo no encaja más que con la canción que le da título al álbum. Si bien, se puede apreciar una mejora en las letras y en el rendimiento vocal, los tracks siguen sonando a demos o descartes de "Prism" pero tampoco llegan a ser tan pegajosas como el memorable "Teenage dream" para resultar ser un éxito. Katy aún no ha definido hacía donde ir, "Witness" había logrado trazar un nuevo camino que fue descartado inmediatamente e hizo que Perry regresará a su zona de confort pero con tropiezos en el camino, resultando el destino en "Smile". Espero que su filosofía de sentirse cómoda sin importar las críticas la haga ir a un lugar más arriesgado pero de una manera bien lograda.… Expand
  17. Gvm
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    Buenas canciones, pero más de lo mismo no se reinventa, ocupamos cosas nuevas, talvez un poco más de interés, hacia lo que hace
  18. mahteusw123
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    I loved the full album, the story of the music's is so beautiful. So fun listen.
  19. AntonioArpa
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    Un álbum con canciones olvidables y que no logran encajar en su anterior discografía.
  20. LancerReviews
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    Smile lacks an engaging production, something that screams passion, same with Perry’s writing, instead of hovering on the surface of the emotion she tries to provoke, she could dig deep and straightup go literal with the happiness, hope, and resilience she wants to project.
  21. Panxokun
    Aug 28, 2020
    4
    Not the best but boy worst.
    It just sounds like what she has done in the past with the difference that now she cries for the Witness flop
  22. Mrjon
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    O álbum tem músicas boas de fato, porém sua divulgação inicial acabou pecando, lançando singles fracos enquanto as melhores musicas ( Cry about it later & Teary Eyes ) presentes no álbum estavam apenas preenchendo lugar no álbum.
  23. AlanCarmona
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's good but not her best. Its production is simple and its handwritten isn't catchy.
    I can't understand how the katyclowns are given bad rating to Gaga and Taylor. So... 5    … Expand
  24. joe_racho
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    I didn't like it that much. Only a few songs catched my attention and it's the pre-released singles.
  25. Kaerys
    Apr 15, 2023
    6
    Em meio tanta negatividade, Katy serviu um álbum cheio de alegria, vocais e muito conceito e ainda por cima com uma produção maravilhosa que faz o impulso de dançar e sorrir ser incontrolável! Dentre tantas músicas negativas lançadas recentemente, é bom poder parar e só se divertir escutando música boa.

    update: envelheceu muito mal, as músicas se demonstraram bem fracas.
  26. zhong
    Aug 28, 2020
    4
    Plz Katycats just mind your own business, smile is a nice work but because of lack of billboard hot 100 debut 1, it makes me feel like Katy Perry is flopped
  27. Steiin
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    4/14 musicas, esperava mais e tem umas faixas que são bem fraquinhas... acho q são elas que estraga a sintonia do album e faz as medianas parecer ser "ruins"
  28. soundmate
    Aug 28, 2020
    5
    As a Katy Perry fan who has seen her live twice and has stanned her music since 2010, it has been hurtful to see the downfall she's been experiencing since her previous musical era. Seeing her depressed due to the lack of interest the general public suddenly had in her because of a simple haircut has been extremely unpleasant. With "Smile" I was expecting a project about self esteem andAs a Katy Perry fan who has seen her live twice and has stanned her music since 2010, it has been hurtful to see the downfall she's been experiencing since her previous musical era. Seeing her depressed due to the lack of interest the general public suddenly had in her because of a simple haircut has been extremely unpleasant. With "Smile" I was expecting a project about self esteem and healing and well, after a couple listens, I don't really understand the point of this album at all.
    Since she announced her pregnancy, I thought KP5 was being called "Bloom" due to her marriage with Orlando Bloom and the little life that was blooming inside her. Narrating her own personal story of huring, healing and loving and having the color green as the main attraction of the album, "Bloom" would start with "Daisies" as its introduction track. Also, why not rescuing Camila Cabello's inital idea of a "The Hurting. The Healing. The Loving" album with a midnight sound (comparable to "Not the End of the World" (aka my personal favorite) and some deep lyrics? I would have been totally in for this personal musical diary for her daughter to show her the bad and the beautiful parts of this world or lesson for the people who don't believe/regret the existene of mental illnesses due to Internet bullying.
    As for the artistic direction, I think this has been one of the most confusing factors on this record since once everything as flower-themed with "Really Never Over" and now its suddenly focused on clowns; this has just been a negative consequence of bad planification that has caused me a couple headaches.
    Anyway, focusing on the music, "Smile" has a less teen sound than Katy's previous well-known records and focuses more on a less colorful and more realistic artistic expression by touching a bit of politics and a tiny bit of loving. At some points the songs feel a bit recycled and monotone arriving to a soulness pop kind of music that destroys your heart if you are sensitive when it comes to melancholy. The album in its whole is kind of cohesive but lacks the charisma and magnetism that all Katy Perry projects have. This is just... boring and unbelivable for an A-list pop artist who has all the money and all the help she needs to compose a 5-star album with a great intro and a way better outro than "What Makes a Woman".
    Maybe "Smile" isn't a Katy Perry creation but a boomer Capitol Records one. Perry has been around for more than a decade and has delivered a ton of memorable songs during her career. From "I Kissed a Girl" to "Roar", I am sure everyone knows her material to the point that it is very difficult to chose which is the signature song of Katy Perry. "do you ever feel like a plastic bag?" is still a meme and "you're gonna hear me roar" is still a war cry for late nostalgic teenagers. Every album by the California gurl since 2008 to 2015 has been a hit to remember With the catchiest lyrics alongside the most pure pop sound, Perry created the brightest most colorful cartoon world everyone dreamed to travel to. Using the early formula/road to success of the late 2000s based on sending songs to thousands of radio stations massively, every project by Perry was meant to be a number one single. The arrival of 2-minute songs and adaptation to the new musical platforms like Spotify, YouTube or Amazon Music after a couple years of progressive drop in sales due to piracy is a very important factor that has made the general public lose many interest in Katy Perry. If you don't adapt to the current situations in order to make your product profitable and worth a listen, you'll fail. Its not me who says that, both science and common sense do. Thus, I really think that the faillure of Perry and its image downfall has a lot to do with the ones who are above her. Maybe signing a less traditional discography such as Republic, Columbia or RCA could be a smart move for her career. Why do I say that? Because I really feel like they could have surrounded her with other people than... Charlie Puth. Like... wtf man; just stop it, this duo won't bring us anything good. Maybe working again with musical mathematical Max Martin or Frank Dukes could make her reach commercial success once again. But, honestly, I am not sure if she wants to. Maybe having a little less spotlight is what she needs. Maybe this is just how she feels and does not really know how to express it. Maybe this is Katy Perry know. Now the question is: are we loving Katy or dislike her? At the end, she is the girl who has filled our house of color and joy through music and helped us have the best time of our lives.    … Expand
  29. hsaosjn
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    a lot of songs on the album sounded very similar and some were pretty boring. my favorites were champagne problems and tucked but everything else was meh
  30. ZEN-1
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    this is just another regular katy perry album
    it has amazing dongs like nro, daisies, only love and what makes a woman
    but it also has a lot of forgettable pop songs which unfortunate
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. AllMusic
    Sep 8, 2020
    60
    Without fleeting moments of bad taste, Perry does indeed sound mature, but she's also not quite as fun. That's a conscious choice, though. Smile is intended to evoke memories of her frivolous younger days while pointing toward a sustainable pop future.
    Read full review
  2. No Ripcord
    Sep 4, 2020
    50
    While Perry finds the occasional moment of quality here (Smile and Tucked both feel like the best possible music we could get from Katy Perry in 2020), Smile is an album searching for an identity—and when it fails, it falls back on lazy writing.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Aug 31, 2020
    60
    Like Joanne before Chromatica, Smile plays like a necessary centering exercise, indulging her insecurities and less surefire instincts. If Witness was overdetermined, Smile is an earnest exhale, for better or for worse. It delivers an image of her journey towards inner peace that is honest (if corny) and catchy (if not exactly inventive).
    Read full review
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