Song of the Week- 12 August 2013

Song of the Week- Roar by Katy Perry

If anyone has read my review of Katy Perry’s amazing record Teenage Dream then some people may already know that I am a big fan of this woman, and here I have to say that she is my favourite artist and I think she is just great in so many ways. So with her latest single being released this week it can’t be helped that I highlight Roar as the single of the week. I was actually a little bit nervous in a weird way when I sat down to listen to the track, as I just felt that after giving us such great music with her last record and the whole Teenage Dream era, it may be difficult for her new music to excite me on that level. But the woman just exceeds my expectations and proved that she so deserves all the success she gets. Roar is a bold mid tempo power pop song that is production wise synth based and nicely incorporates some arena rock and glam rock elements into the singer’s pop style. What I love about Roar is the fact that to me it feels like the singer does three great things. Firstly she takes a step back to her One of the Boys days and goes back to having a little more rock edge as she was inspired by artists like Alanis Morisette. Secondly, she retains the pop sweetness and sophistication that made Teenage Dream such a special record (something I feel you really hear most within the verses). And thirdly, she seems to have this bolder, grander and at the same time slightly rawer musical edge that makes you really feel that this is another musical era that is going to eclipse her last. Perry’s vocal performance on Roar is both cute and mature in equally great measure, with the final chorus being her most powerful vocal moments in my opinion and maybe giving the indication that her newest record will show an even greater vocal maturity. And with a power house chorus that instantly becomes stuck in your head, Roar is just a musical slice of pure awesome. It may not necessarily be as big a music change and statement as the singer set it up to be, but there are still plenty new Perry music offerings to come, and Roar just acts as this blissful example of how Perry always delivers something truly great.