Beach-party-themed industry listening events. On Monday night, Kate Perry brought her West Coast vibe to the East Coast, filling the Espace venue with beach balls, sand and lots of funky pop tunes.On the eve of her "California Gurls" video premiere, Perry played a number of other tracks off the album that mirrored that song's bouncy, summertime pop feel. The title track, the album's reported second single, picks up right where "California Gurls" leaves off. With a strong beat to back her up, Perry sings about a boy who makes her feel like a teenager again.
The next track, which she told the crowd was her "f---ing opus," is a shimmering tune that plays up Perry's vocals and gives a slightly orchestral feel during the song's chorus. Perry next played her party anthem "Last Friday Night," which she explained had a purpose for being on the album: "There's a lot of substance ... but also some no brainers."
Perry slowed things down with the ballad, "Pearl," about a girl who was once a lighthearted woman until someone came along and changed her. She eventually switches the script, and it becomes an empowering song about change.
But the general vibe of the album is levity and partying, emphasized by dance track "The One That Got Away" and the cheerleader-ish, double-entendre-filled "Peacock." The final song previewed is the dreamy, midtempo ode to love, "Not Like the Movies."
Later on, MTV News caught up with Perry, who talked about her strategy of previewing these songs for people. "It's really exciting to do these little beach party, Katy Perry, Teenage Dream listening parties. It's funner — I love that word that doesn't exist — it's funner to do it in this environment, where it's just free and fun and there's a couple of drinks, people are eating, people are socializing, seeing people they haven't seen in a while.
Watch her:
And :