Is Smile a good place to start with Katy Perry?

Yes, Smile is recommended as a starting point for new Katy Perry listeners. Bright, buoyant pop anthems blend with reflective moments, showcasing resilience and personal growth through infectious melodies. Released on August 28, 2020, Smile is Katy Perry's sixth studio album and her first since becoming a mother. Following the commercial success of her previous albums, this record signifies a return to form after the mixed reception of Witness (2017), marking her artistic reinvention through themes of empowerment and recovery.

Smile works well if you're into uplifting, positive vibes, short, engaging listening sessions and emotional and introspective moments.

How many songs are on Smile?

Smile has 14 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Smile

Katy Perry · 2020

44 min · 14 tracks · pop music

Bright, buoyant pop anthems blend with reflective moments, showcasing resilience and personal growth through infectious melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Never Really Over Start here — This track revitalizes Perry's signature sound with its upbeat tempo and relatable lyrics about moving on from past relationships, setting a hopeful tone for the album.
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Daisies — A standout anthem celebrating perseverance, 'Daisies' features lush production and emotive vocals that resonate deeply with listeners seeking motivation during tough times.
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Smile — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of resilience, featuring catchy hooks and an uplifting message that encourages self-acceptance and joy despite life's challenges.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album balances energetic pop with introspective moments, though it doesn't fully stand out in its genre.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower ballads that create a contrast in mood.
Several tracks utilize layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the anthemic quality of the pop sound.
The album includes interludes and spoken word segments, such as 'Message From Katy', which provide personal context and break up the musical flow.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

uplifting, positive vibes
short, engaging listening sessions
emotional and introspective moments
themes of resilience and growth
catchy hooks and melodies

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — 'Smile' showcases resilience and growth, marking a strong return after personal challenges.
Themes: personal resilience· post-divorce empowerment· self-acceptance journey
Moods: Uplifting· Introspective
Career context: Released on August 28, 2020, Smile is Katy Perry's sixth studio album and her first since becoming a mother. Following the commercial success of her previous albums, this record signifies a return to form after the mixed reception of Witness (2017), marking her artistic reinvention through themes of empowerment and recovery.
Stylistic neighbors: Lady Gaga· Demi Lovato· Rihanna