Description
Katy Perry – Smile – Bone White Vinyl Record
Released on August 28, 2020, Smile marked a turning point in Katy Perry’s career. After the mixed reception of her 2017 album Witness, which saw her experimenting with a more electronic and politically charged sound, Smile was a return to the uplifting, anthemic pop that made her a global superstar. However, it wasn’t just a musical reset—it was a deeply personal album, reflecting Perry’s struggles with mental health, self-doubt, and personal growth.
Written during a difficult period in her life, including a high-profile career slump and battles with depression, Smile is an album about finding light after darkness, embracing resilience, and choosing happiness despite life’s hardships. While it didn’t achieve the massive commercial success of her earlier albums, it stands as one of her most introspective and emotionally honest projects.
Smile is a blend of Perry’s signature pop style with elements of dance, electro-pop, and disco influences. The production, led by collaborators such as Max Martin, Zedd, and Stargate, features uplifting beats, playful melodies, and polished synth-driven hooks.
While it doesn’t reinvent the pop formula, Smile successfully balances upbeat, feel-good tracks with introspective ballads, showcasing Perry’s growth as an artist. Unlike the experimental, sometimes chaotic energy of Witness, this album is more cohesive and grounded, sticking to what Perry does best—big, bold, emotionally charged pop music.
The album’s lyrics center around self-acceptance, perseverance, and the highs and lows of life. Rather than focusing on romantic love, Perry delves into personal struggles and triumphs, making it one of her most vulnerable records.
The title track, Smile, and songs like Resilient capture Perry’s journey from self-doubt to confidence, proving that happiness is something you create, not something that just happens. Tracks like Not the End of the World and Only Love emphasize the importance of learning from mistakes and focusing on what truly matters. While there are serious moments, Perry also brings back her fun, playful energy on tracks like Harleys in Hawaii and Tucked, adding some carefree escapism.
Unlike some of her past albums, where she often took on larger-than-life personas, Smile feels like Katy Perry speaking as herself—flawed, hopeful, and ready to move forward.
Key Tracks: Standouts from the Album
Never Really Over – The album’s strongest single, blending electro-pop and emotional depth, capturing the feeling of love that never quite fades.
Smile – A bouncy, upbeat track about choosing happiness after hitting rock bottom, featuring a vintage, circus-inspired beat.
Daisies – A powerful, mid-tempo anthem about chasing dreams despite criticism, with an emotional vocal delivery.
Resilient – A self-empowerment ballad about bouncing back from adversity, reinforcing the album’s theme of perseverance.
Harleys in Hawaii – A sultry, tropical-infused pop track that’s effortlessly cool and laid-back, adding a fun escape to the album.
Only Love – One of the more introspective songs, urging listeners to let go of regrets and focus on love and gratitude.
Commercially, Smile was not as dominant as Perry’s previous albums. It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, selling significantly fewer copies than Teenage Dream or Prism. However, Perry’s personal growth and vulnerability on the album resonated with fans, particularly those who related to struggles with mental health and self-worth.
Despite its understated commercial performance, Smile served as an important chapter in Perry’s career—not a blockbuster comeback, but a much-needed reset. It showed that she wasn’t chasing trends but making music that reflected where she was emotionally and creatively.
Smile may not be Katy Perry’s biggest album, but it’s one of her most personal and heartfelt. It’s a record that embraces healing, resilience, and self-love, proving that true success isn’t measured by chart positions but by personal growth and happiness.
For those who love bright, uplifting pop music with emotional depth, Smile is an album that reminds us that even after life’s setbacks, there’s always a reason to keep going and find joy again.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Never Really Over
Cry About It Later
Teary Eyes
Daisies
Resilient
Not the End of the World
Smile Featuring – P. Diddy
Champagne Problems
Tucked
Harleys in Hawaii
Only Love
What Makes a Woman
