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At first listen, Katy Perry’s first single since last year’s Rise is a predictably upbeat pop track, just electro-sounding enough to make sure it’ll be on repeat at every nightclub around the world for the next few months.
But pay closer attention – or go right ahead and read the lyrics – and Chained To The Rhythm reveals what Katy’s been up to the past year: getting political.
She campaigned relentlessly for Hillary Clinton, and no doubt took some time for deep reflection in the wake of her devastating loss. And like everyone uncomfortable with the new US president’s past treatment of women, she joined the Women’s March on Washington to strengthen the resistance against Donald Trump’s sexism.
When she accepted the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award from UNICEF last year – presented by Clinton, no less – Perry hinted that her life was moving in a new direction.
“I’ve always had a voice – a singing voice – but now I have a voice like I’ve never had before. Hillary has lit that voice inside of me, and that light will never go out, it will continue to get brighter and brighter and brighter.”
That sentiment is evident in Chained To The Rhythm, which lures you in with its catchy pop sound, but lyrically is thought-provoking. Perry sings that “we’re living in a bubble” and “so comfortable, we cannot see the trouble.”
“Happily numb … so put your rose-colored glasses on. And party on.”
Other lines include “we think we’re free” and “Are we tone deaf? Keep sweeping it under the mat. Thought we could do better than that. I hope we can.”
The video for Chained To The Rhythm shows a hamster living in a miniature home, watching a television where another hamster spins on a wheel. A not-so-subtle comment on one of modern society’s greatest ills: binge-watching TV shows, meanwhile ignoring the plight of others.
It’ll be interesting to see if the award-winning pop star’s new album, expected to drop any day, will continue this more serious direction – sung to a catchy beat, of course.
