Post-‘Witness,’ Katy Perry makes a fierce comeback with a bright, catchy, electrifying, and reminiscent pop single, “Never Really Over.”

It’s no secret, Witness was NOT one of the brighter moments for Grammy-nominated pop musician Katy Perry.  Throughout her career, Perry has earned her share of big-time hits.  In the case of Witness, she never quite found the same footing as on One of the Boys  (“I Kissed a Girl” and “Hot N Cold”), Teenage Dream (“Teenage Dream”, “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” “California Gurls” and “Firework”), and Prism (“Roar” and “Dark Horse”).  Maybe her first proper solo single post-Witness, “Never Really Over,” will get her back on track.

“Never Really Over” sounds sleek from the onset, with its bright synths, pummeling drums, and its optimistic sound.  Zedd and Dreamlab get the credit for a superb backdrop for the pop star.  Notably, “Never Really Over” marks Perry’s second collaboration with Zedd following “365” (he was credited as the lead artist).   While it is a bright record set in a major key, Katy Perry reminisces back on exes.  On the pre-chorus she sings, “I tell myself, tell myself, tell myself, ‘Draw the line’ / And I do, I do / But once in a while, I trip up, and I cross the line / And I think of you.” Fittingly, the incredibly catch chorus finds Perry providing context to the song title – the relationship may be over, but you always remember it:

“Two years, and just like that
My head still takes me back
Thought it was done, but I
Guess it’s never really over
Oh, we were such a mess
But wasn’t it the best?
Thought it was done, but I
Guess it’s never really over.”

It doesn’t end there, as a pre-chorus further analyzes the situation, while on the second verse, Perry is trying to “rewire this brain” with no success.  Hey it’s “Never Really Over.”

Final Thoughts

No need to be verbose.  “Never Really Over” has all of the ingredients to get Katy Perry back in the win column.  No, it won’t change your life, but this is a catchy, fun, well-rounded pop record through and through.  The ear candy is real y’all!

Katy Perry • Never Really Over [Single] • Capitol • Release: 5.31.19

Photo Credit: Capitol