Glove Slap
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Post by Glove Slap on May 31, 2018 9:16:47 GMT -5
Swish Swish is definitely the most (if not the only) enduring thing about this album, and I think it's one of her worst singles.
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wjr15
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Post by wjr15 on Jun 2, 2018 1:43:25 GMT -5
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
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Anticonformity
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Post by Anticonformity on Jun 2, 2018 4:01:44 GMT -5
Gurl missed a promo op with "I WITNESS you"
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Grün
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Post by Grün on Jun 4, 2018 20:26:08 GMT -5
I think Chained to the Rhythm was hit and didn't hinder this album cycle. Granted, I do believe its chorus could have been catchier. Nonetheless, I think the subsequent singles created friction and threw everything off balance.
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on Jun 5, 2018 0:53:42 GMT -5
“Witness flopped because _______________” is about to become the new “Migrate should’ve been a single” roundabout discussion of Pulse.
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Bhad Bill
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Post by Bhad Bill on Jun 6, 2018 8:04:24 GMT -5
“Witness flopped because _______________” is about to become the new “Migrate should’ve been a single” roundabout discussion of Pulse. True, this discussion has been circulating for the past year, and has been talked about a lot, but what better place to have it than an online music discussion forum? Witness is such a "we were rooting for, we were all rooting for you, how dare you?" moment for me. "Never in my life have I yelled at a girl like this, Katy!" It's fascinating. The hair (and the fact that she's doubled down on her commitment by keeping it for so long) also is still a thorn in my side. I am always here for new Katy and I hope she releases a new single by the end of the year and a whole new album cycle by early 2019. It doesn't need to be a huge event, just quality music and visuals.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2018 9:06:08 GMT -5
I found that underneath the layers of a 20s Katy and the gold-lined production of a pre-#metoo Dr. Luke is a woman struggling to find her voice, her look, her sound, etc. This isn't specific to Katy, but she's a great example. I heard glimpses of her newfound womanhood shining on the latter half and bonus tracks of Prism (notably, those latter and bonus tracks were not produced by Luke), but once it was time for the next album, so much changed. Not just with her, but with her go-to producer and the landscape of pop music.
Witness is an awkward album. I think all pop stars have them. It's at times distancing herself from her Teenage Dreaminess, but then has moments of trying to recapture or tap back into that vibe - with unsuccessful results. Arguably, disastrous results. Not sure it's totally killed her mainstream top-of-the-charts career, but it wouldn't be the first time. Pop careers are notoriously short-lived, regardless of prior massive success(es). To be around and charting for 10 years is a rarity, when you consider all who try it.
There's a time and place for artists at the top of the charts, and few are able to maintain it-boy/girl status for very long. We are typically introduced to a young, ambitious voice and artist willing to do most anything all over the radio... and what comes next is an actual human being who isn't a teen or a 20-something anymore and they morph into something that isn't as appealing. The magic just disappears. It's disposable for many. Katy solidified her legacy in pop music with her first 3 albums, or even just with Teenage Dream alone. The output she gives us now may or may not work out on any substantial level, and I think inside she probably knows this, and may even be ok with it, but the reality of it is still a bit hard to swallow for someone who was able to own the genre for the better part of the last decade. I think Gaga is in the same boat, and Joanne is a testament to that. It's not unlike Prism in that it's lacking ready-made radio hits and shows a mega pop star in search of her "now what?".
I don't think we should expect a "return to form" from either, because there is no going back to that magical time and place for them. That's not how it works. And I doubt Katy WANTS to go back to that time and place. Most people grow and evolve considerably after their 20s. That level of success is exhausting and a total mindf*ck anyway. Success may still happen with future music, but expectations should probably be reduced significantly. Success also can happen in many other ways - if we don't always compare everything to Teenage Dream.
I do look forward to her future musical output, but I've removed all expectations as to what it will/should sound like, or if it'll be a commercial success. I tend to prefer her deeper album cuts over her singles anyway - often her darker and or softer side when Kathryn really comes through. Witness may have some of that but I didn't feel it, and that's ok. It may be the album that needed to happen to shake off the pressure and expectation of huge success once and for all.
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Enigma.
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Post by Enigma. on Jun 6, 2018 13:34:21 GMT -5
Yaass STAN
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BDGeek
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Post by BDGeek on Jun 6, 2018 14:38:00 GMT -5
I'm still grateful for the Witness era based on her therapy session alone. That video was such valuable insight into Katy as a human and the pressures of pop stardom. Really increased my respect for her.
Still bop to "Roulette" on the regular too.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jun 7, 2018 1:24:09 GMT -5
I hope she keeps the hair forever, if nothing else but to make the shallow, fickle fans choke on their own acrid tears.
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BDGeek
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Post by BDGeek on Jun 7, 2018 11:22:57 GMT -5
Was the hair really that much of an issue for some fans? I don't follow much of the social media conversation on pop stars outside of this board. But the hair seems a silly, superficial reason to give up on an artist given how they change up their looks all the time. Not to mention the short blonde hair looks good on Katy (as did the brunette and longer blonde looks).
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jun 7, 2018 11:47:10 GMT -5
Was the hair really that much of an issue for some fans? I don't follow much of the social media conversation on pop stars outside of this board. But the hair seems a silly, superficial reason to give up on an artist given how they change up their looks all the time. Not to mention the short blonde hair looks good on Katy (as did the brunette and longer blonde looks). Nah. Really just a random on Pulse. I don't hear that chatter from anyone who matters, now that I think about it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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divasummer
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Post by divasummer on Jun 7, 2018 12:05:26 GMT -5
This. And I'd say "Bon Appetit" damaged her momentum. "Swish Swish" would've been moderately successful if she hadn't vanished when it was released; Nicki did more to promote the song than she did. I agree with you that the release schedule/promo for this era was very botched. CTTR started off well: good debut, good video, Grammy & Brit performances, radio interviews. I still find it odd that it stalled at #8 on CHR but I can only chalk it up to timing. The charts were very competitive at that time, 2017 not being nice to female pop stars, and releasing a political song in a very politically charged time. After that, it’s like they forgot how to run an era. Like someone said before, the rumors of Ari being on BA only to be let down with a highly scrutinized collab with Migos. Add that to a song that was not well received (I love BA btw) and a drastic image change, and it definitely put a huge dent in her momentum. Then they drop BA a month later for SS instead. She gave it one performance on SNL and then pretty much disappear. SS hung around in the Top 100 of iTunes for about a month and her team did nothing until two months later when they gave it a music video and VMA performance. By then SS was long gone from the charts. I really find it surprising that she didn’t release any singles after the album release. It’s like they gave up before the album was even released. The era had potential but it was handled very poorly. I think some appearances like the VMA's were booked well in advance so she had to promote something. I think "Chained To The Rhythm" just started the era off badly in some ways. The song wasn't strong enough to be a "political" statement song. Which they, the public tried to make it out to be. It was cute but not what people wanted. It blended in and I'm not sure if that's what she was going for. That explains "Bon Appetite"/ "Swish Swish" and her trying to be edgy on "SNL" etc and fighting with Taylor Swift when it appears the public didn't care that much. I honestly thought "Swish Swish" was going to change the era for her but it didn't and "American Idol" was hers next. I have a feeling right when this last era was being put together "American Idol" wanted her but didn't realize what was going to happen with the era. I may have my foot in my mouth and Idols ratings are great and Katys scoring etc. lol
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austin
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Post by austin on Jun 7, 2018 12:39:43 GMT -5
The hair was terrible.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jun 7, 2018 13:00:35 GMT -5
So are most posters posts around here, but...it is what it is. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Bhad Bill
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Post by Bhad Bill on Jun 7, 2018 14:09:51 GMT -5
The hair still IS terrible. I don't get why some people on here assert that I, and others who rightly despise her short, bleached (yet still having dark black bleed through the scalp) hair aren't Katy fans anymore. Its just this weird and misguided attempt to appear superior or more woke than others. I loved her before, and still enjoy, purchase, stream, let her songs play on the radio, read articles about her, watch her music videos online, and check this damn thread weekly. I watch old performances. Acknowledging that the hair is a poor styling choice and potentially career damaging doesn't de-legitimize my Katy fandom. It's a preference. I think she looks bad. I enjoy her less because her hair is ugly. The end. I said the same thing about my main boo Carly Rae for a solid year. Still a stan of both for life!
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BDGeek
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Post by BDGeek on Jun 7, 2018 15:10:06 GMT -5
The hair still IS terrible. I don't get why some people on here assert that I, and others who rightly despise her short, bleached (yet still having dark black bleed through the scalp) hair aren't Katy fans anymore. Its just this weird and misguided attempt to appear superior or more woke than others. I loved her before, and still enjoy, purchase, stream, let her songs play on the radio, read articles about her, watch her music videos online, and check this damn thread weekly. I watch old performances. Acknowledging that the hair is a poor styling choice and potentially career damaging doesn't de-legitimize my Katy fandom. It's a preference. I think she looks bad. I enjoy her less because her hair is ugly. The end. I said the same thing about my main boo Carly Rae for a solid year. Still a stan of both for life! Oh for sure. I think there's a fine line between disliking an artist's aesthetic and still enjoying their creative output vs. suddenly giving up on an artist you previously liked due to their appearance change. Lord knows Kelly Clarkson tried my patience with her Piece By Piece era haircut and outfit choices. But it didn't diminish my enjoyment of that album or her previous work, and then she cranked out some glam looks for Meaning of Life. There's an ebb and flow to being a stan in that way.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jun 7, 2018 15:19:25 GMT -5
Personally, I find people who harp on a fucking haircut as if Katy's main gig was modeling instead of a musical artist, "weird" and "misguided". Just like I find people who are racist/prejudiced to be disgusting, I find people who focus on an artist's looks to be shallow and vapid. Maybe that's just me, though. Unsurprisingly, it is usually young, White gay males that I find to be guilty of both offenses. Sad that in 2018, we still have such rank misogyny and superficiality but hopefully, this trend is on a downward trajectory!
Anyway, back to relevant Katy discussion: maybe I missed it but has she been working in the studio with anyone lately? I know she has been busy with the tour but I am hoping she works with Calvin Harris and Pharrell again. I think Diplo could be good for her and definitely Mike Will again.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2018 16:37:09 GMT -5
If her voice or lyrics didnt make you dislike her , its surprising that hair did? wtf, but lets be all the way honest. She has better hair than most of you! She looks cute atleast .
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wjr15
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Post by wjr15 on Jun 7, 2018 16:47:12 GMT -5
Personally, I find people who harp on a f**king haircut as if Katy's main gig was modeling instead of a musical artist, "weird" and "misguided". Just like I find people who are racist/prejudiced to be disgusting, I find people who focus on an artist's looks to be shallow and vapid. Maybe that's just me, though. Unsurprisingly, it is usually young, White gay males that I find to be guilty of both offenses. Sad that in 2018, we still have such rank misogyny and superficiality but hopefully, this trend is on a downward trajectory! Anyway, back to relevant Katy discussion: maybe I missed it but has she been working in the studio with anyone lately? I know she has been busy with the tour but I am hoping she works with Calvin Harris and Pharrell again. I think Diplo could be good for her and definitely Mike Will again. There have been rumors that she was in the studio with Ilya (produced Act My Age and many of Ariana’s hits). I remember rumors about her being in the studio with another producer but I don’t remember who...maybe Ian Kirkpatrick?? (New Rules, Bad Liar)
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Jun 7, 2018 21:48:35 GMT -5
There have been rumors that she was in the studio with Ilya (produced Act My Age and many of Ariana’s hits). I remember rumors about her being in the studio with another producer but I don’t remember who...maybe Ian Kirkpatrick?? (New Rules, Bad Liar) Oh yes!! i did hear about Ian and Act My Age was classic Katy so yessssss! I hope she shaves her head bald!
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Glove Slap
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Post by Glove Slap on Jun 7, 2018 22:32:29 GMT -5
Ian confirmed they worked together.
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Glove Slap
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Post by Glove Slap on Jun 9, 2018 8:51:45 GMT -5
The Deluxe Edition of Witness has been put up for streaming.
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Post by Devil Marlena Nylund on Jun 9, 2018 9:13:42 GMT -5
I enjoy her less because her hair is ugly. Lol Anyway. I may be the only one to say this but Witness is underrated. It may not be her best album but thanks to it not being overplayed, it’s the only one of hers I ever have any desire to listen to.
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Dylan :)
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Post by Dylan :) on Jun 9, 2018 13:36:27 GMT -5
Was the hair really that much of an issue for some fans? I don't follow much of the social media conversation on pop stars outside of this board. But the hair seems a silly, superficial reason to give up on an artist given how they change up their looks all the time. Not to mention the short blonde hair looks good on Katy (as did the brunette and longer blonde looks). I don’t think the issue is specifically her hair for most people. I think the hair is being used to sum up 1) the change in image from Chained To The Rhythm to Bon Appetit* and 2) the image that followed the debut of the hair cut, Bon Appetit and collabing with Migos instead of Ariana. This didn’t really bother me but I am sure it bothered some when she said she wasn’t at a Britney level as she hadn’t shaved her hair yet, only to then shave it (paraphrasing). Regardless, I can’t wait for new music I am hoping she sees more chart success next era. I love Ilya’s work with Ariana *Notice people had no issue with her changing from long black hair to above shoulder length blonde hair. I think when a lot of people say her hair they don’t mean her hair specifically, just what I explained above
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Exclusive
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Get the fuck up out my house
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Post by Exclusive on Jun 9, 2018 18:34:51 GMT -5
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Dylan :)
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smth 'bout youu
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Post by Dylan :) on Jun 9, 2018 21:13:21 GMT -5
She sounded great in that video!
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Normi
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Post by Normi on Jun 10, 2018 3:15:45 GMT -5
My brother went to the Witness Tour on Wednesday (I was supposed to go too but couldn't) and even he as a non-fan was truly impressed by the show although he critiqued her vocal performance The opening act was Tove Styrke who he called trash so his opinion is invalid anyways :sip2:
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Ty
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Post by Ty on Jun 10, 2018 22:39:20 GMT -5
My brother went to the Witness Tour on Wednesday (I was supposed to go too but couldn't) and even he as a non-fan was truly impressed by the show although he critiqued her vocal performance The opening act was Tove Styrke who he called trash so his opinion is invalid anyways :sip2:
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austin
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Post by austin on Jun 11, 2018 10:12:21 GMT -5
The hair did not make me like her music any more or any less, nor her as a person or anything else she has done. But she went from a smokeshow (in my eyes) to very weird looking (in my eyes) with one haircut. Its a really bad cut.
Most artists do a style I dislike during their career, but that is OK. As long as she likes it, who gives a fuck.
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