(Single from album, "Prism")
In amongst an abundance of forgettable synth-driven records populating today’s music charts, those bearing the name Katy Perry seem to have maintained something of a reputation for decency. “Roar”, almost flawlessly continues this trend with a catchy chorus, a danceable beat, and, most impressively, a vocal that, as ever, exhibits Perry’s incredible range. Perhaps differently to her older material, the teeny-bop sheen is absent, replaced by a thumping, stadium rock aesthetic, a development that suits the artist’s brash explosiveness wonderfully and which is enormously welcome in a musical climate flooded with expletives and sexually explicit dance moves (I’m looking at you Miley Cyrus...) The lyrical message, commenting on feelings of wanting to be heard, is plain and simple, but not offensive or unintelligent in delivery, making the imminent chart success of the song all the more commendable. It’s good old harmless pop, at its floor-filling best and with a hard-hitting ‘80s synth-rock punch. Great.
★★★★
Versions of "Roar"
Album/Single Version - 3:43
Instrumental Version - 3:43