What makes Smile by Katy Perry notable?

Smile debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and spawned the hit single 'Daisies,' which reached the top ten in multiple countries. This album is notable for its exploration of resilience and joy, resonating with listeners amid the global pandemic. Released on July 10, 2020, Smile marked Katy Perry's sixth studio album, following the commercial disappointment of her previous record, Witness. This album serves as a significant return to form, showcasing a more optimistic outlook after personal challenges such as her publicized breakup and subsequent engagement.

How many songs are on Smile?

Smile has 1 track, running approximately 2 minutes.

Smile

Katy Perry · 2020

2 min · 1 track · pop music

Bright, buoyant pop anthems blend uplifting themes with catchy hooks and vibrant production.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Smile — The title track encapsulates the album's core theme of finding joy after hardship, combining infectious melodies with empowering lyrics.
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Daisies — This lead single showcases a confident declaration of self-love and perseverance, making it a standout anthem for empowerment.
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Teary Eyes — With its introspective lyrics and melodic structure, this track highlights vulnerability while maintaining an upbeat pop sensibility.

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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality after personal challenges and reflects resilience themes.
Themes: post-breakup resilience· motherhood joy· self-worth declaration
Moods: Uplifting· Chill
Career context: Released on July 10, 2020, Smile marked Katy Perry's sixth studio album, following the commercial disappointment of her previous record, Witness. This album serves as a significant return to form, showcasing a more optimistic outlook after personal challenges such as her publicized breakup and subsequent engagement.
Stylistic neighbors: Lady Gaga· Demi Lovato· Rihanna