Combining the teen angst of Avril Lavigne, the attitude of Pink, a voice to rival an array of Pop Idols and the looks of a 1950s movie star, 23 year old pop sensation Katy Perry certainly has mass appeal. With sexual ambiguities, coming-of age anecdotes, rebellious rock and lovelorn ballads all thrown in the mix, teenage girls the world over will lap this up, whether they wear tons of black eyeliner or pink UGG boots.
Disregarding the fact that several of Perry's ideas and attitudes here are mildly offensive, and any 23 year old with this level of teen angst bullsh*t deserves a kick in her pretty little face, there's no doubting the girl can sing, and has managed to write a collection of pop songs that are just as easy on the ears. It's one catchy tune after another, only interrupted by aforementioned lovelorn ballads. Admittedly, these heartfelt slower numbers are where Katy starts to lose the sass and style that make her stand out, and they could easily belong to any of her mainstream female rivals. New single Hot 'n' Cold equally sounds like many previous dancefloor hits - with its singalong chorus, it's sure to brighten many a handbag-centric Saturday night.
It's a shame that the strongest song by far on this album is the title track of her 2007 EP, Ur So Gay, which garnered attention from Madonna and launched young Katy into the mainstream. Though single I Kissed a Girl has been a bigger hit, Perry has failed to match the quirkiness and stylistic individuality showcased on Ur So Gay anywhere else on this record. Still, it's mostly longevity that this album lacks - with many references to current pop culture, its young audience may just grow out of it all too soon.
