Katy Perry announces new single 'Watch It Burn', opens up about channeling anger into music
Los Angeles, June 20
Pop star Katy Perry has announced the release of her new single, 'Watch It Burn', which is set to arrive on June 25, Billboard reported.
The singer unveiled the song's cover art and release date on social media, sharing a close-up image of her face illuminated by a glowing light and covered in droplets of water.
"Watch It Burn June 25th," Perry wrote in the caption.
Ahead of the release, Perry offered insight into the song's emotional inspiration during an appearance on the Podcast with songwriter Justin Tranter, who co-wrote the track.
Discussing the themes behind the song, Perry said, "In 'Watch It Burn,' I am wrestling with my darkness but last year was pretty tough."
The singer revealed that the track explores emotions she had long suppressed.
"I have not given myself permission to be angry my whole life over things where I should be angry about," Perry said.
"What I've done is I pushed it down, but I should be angry. I'm allowed to be angry for a.. moment," she added.
Perry explained that rather than dwelling on difficult experiences, she chose to confront those emotions directly.
"So instead of falling into 'Woe is me,' I just was like, 'Okay, let's just feel this.. pain,' let's feel this pain, let's feel this anger and let's move on, let's learn from it also," she said, Billboard reported.
The singer also previewed the track through a social media video showing her dressed in black and holding a baseball bat against a graffiti-covered backdrop.
In the clip, Perry sings about reaching a breaking point and letting go of past frustrations.
The new song was officially performed live for the first time during Perry's headlining set at Spain's O Son do Camino festival.
Watch It Burn marks Perry's latest release following her 2024 album 143, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart in October last year, Billboard reported.
The singer's upcoming single is expected to arrive on all major streaming platforms on June 25.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, a pop star acknowledging that anger isn't always toxic. It's okay to be angry sometimes, as long as you channel it constructively. This song might actually be her most authentic work yet. Hope she doesn't hold back.
Last year was tough for many of us too, Katy. Our farmers' protests, inflation, and everything else - we all wrestled with anger. But your approach to feeling pain and moving on is exactly what we need. Good art comes from honest emotions. 🙌
I appreciate the vulnerability, but I hope this isn't just another "dark pop star rebrand." Katy Perry has tried this before with "Small Talk" or "Never Really Over" - it didn't stick. Let's see if "Watch It Burn" actually delivers something fresh or if it's recycled angst.
Kya baat hai! Her description of pushing down anger for her whole life - that's so many of us in Indian families. We're taught to be "adjusting" and "sweet" all the time. Good for her for breaking that pattern. This song will be on my playlist for sure. 🎧
While I get the hype, I wish pop stars like her would also talk about real anger issues in the world - like climate crisis or social inequality. Personal anger is valid, but it feels a bit self-indulgent when she could use her platform for bigger conversations. Just my two paise.
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