EDITORS’ NOTES

While the GRAMMY® performance of “Chained to the Rhythm” apparently heralded a newly politicized era of Katy Perry’s career, her fourth album turns out to be an exploration of much more than just her social conscience. The personal depictions of empowerment, vulnerability, and defiance unveiled on PRISM continue here. “Power” confronts misogyny by referencing her own upbringing, haters are dismissed with delicious swagger on “Swish Swish,” and “Save as Draft” candidly depicts the struggle to let go of a damaging relationship. Repurposing the light, shade, clicks, and rumbles of club culture into futuristic pop, Witness is as progressive and purposeful as she’s ever sounded.