Katy Perry is back with her upbeat new song “Never Really Over,” produced by electronic pop artist Zedd. Since it’s the first bit of original music from Perry after a brief hiatus, the title feels apt. But the song and its colorful video, are actually about a pesky, second-guessing heart, and the lengths of self-love and woo-woo healing Perry will put endure to make it go away. “‘I guess I could try a new therapy, I’ve gotta rewire this brain/ ‘Cause I can’t even go on the internet without even checking your name,” she sings in one of the best lines.
The video, in kind, follows Perry in all sorts of woo-woo, heart-mending rituals. She gets acupuncture, does yoga outside, interpretive dancing in an open field and a wellness retreat surrounded by hippies in flowy, festival garb. But all the while – at least when the chorus kicks in – those doubts and what-ifs creep, enticingly, back in. It’s all a welcome dive back to the gently self-deprecating Perry of the “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” days of olde.
Leading up to the release, Perry hosted an intimate Q&A with fans at the YouTube Space Los Angeles (and even got matching tattoos with them after.) During the discussion, Perry told moderator/choreographer Kyle Hanagami about her struggle to embrace the awkward dancer she is. “I’m not really a ballet kind of girl,” said Perry, “I’m more of a ‘pass the burrata’ girl.” Welcome back, Ms. Perry.