Could Katy Perry’s ‘143’ Album End Up Belatedly Becoming the Secret Pop Gem of Summer 2026?

They say timing is everything when it comes to putting on a show and Katy Perry was right on time last month for her FIFA World Cup performance, as the singer dazzled a sold-out SoFi Stadium crowd as part of the global soccer tournament’s official U.S. Opening Ceremony on June 12.

The singer took to the pitch just before kickoff to perform “Wonder,” an euphoric EDM cut from her much-maligned 2024 album, 143, which is seemingly back in the zeitgeist two years later. Official on-demand U.S. streams of the album have been steadily climbing virtually all year, and reached a new weekly peak for 2026 in the tracking week ending June 18, with nearly 10.9 million streams, according to Luminate. “Wonder” was responsible for more than 300,000 of those weekly streams, after notching just over 10k the prior week. Meanwhile, Perry’s concert film from the tour supporting the album — The Lifetimes Tour – Live From Paris — recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, further adding to the resurgence in interest.

On the heels of a new single, “Watch It Burn,” Perry is officially back in the spotlight — and while the singer is seemingly gearing up for a new era, it’s giving fans a chance to reevaluate the last one.

143 debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart when it was released in September of 2024, earning Perry her seventh top ten album, though it marked one of her lowest-performing album debuts to date. The album was generally panned by reviewers, with critics bemoaning what they believed to be uninspired production, while even longtime KatyCats cringed at lead single “Woman’s World,” which saw the singer re-team with writer-producer Dr. Luke. Fans felt the messaging of the supposed feminist anthem was at odds with Perry’s choice of working with Dr. Luke, who was accused of sexual misconduct by Kesha and then countersued for defamation (the pop star and Dr. Luke settled their nine-year legal battle in 2023 before it was scheduled to go to trial).

The music video for “Woman’s World,” meantime, also courted controversy, with Perry dressed as a provocative pin-up girl while cozying up to polarizing internet star Trisha Paytas. As viewers complained that the video actually set women back, Perry took to Instagram to defend herself, saying it was just “satire.” (Also: the less said about Perry revealing the lyrics to the song on a dress with a 500-foot-long train, the better.)

But almost two years after 143 was first released, and with the promotional tactics and lead single a more distant memory, it may be time to give the album a second spin — and a second opinion. The anthemic refrain and buoyant lyrics of “Wonder” were a joyous party starter to welcome the World Cup, but the rest of Perry’s dance-pop record is similarly ready for a rose-colored revival, as an adrenaline shot to help ease the nerves of a weary nation, and as a frivolous anecdote to some of the more tepid confessional releases currently on the charts.

In the right settings — and with measured expectations — Perry’s album is also just plain damn fun. 143 isn’t a groundbreaking album, but it can still make for a great summer soundtrack.

143 was released on September 20, 2024 and while Perry promoted the album as a carefree, celebratory ode to the leisurely life, Americans were struggling with rising costs of living and staring down the barrel of another uncertain presidency. Perry also described 143 as a “high energy” and “super summer” record, though she inexplicably dropped it just as we were hunkering down and bundling up for fall. Lyrics about “Livin’ in a candy daydream” (from the 143 song, “Crush”) and “Dancin’ in the blurry lights” (from “Nirvana”), meantime, just weren’t relatable to fans canceling vacation plans and dreading a return-to-office mandate.

But in the two years since the album was released, something seems to have shifted. The country has perhaps settled somewhat — if not acquiesced — into a resigned acceptance over the state of affairs, and a little celebration finally seems appropriate, both for our own sanity and as a much-needed distraction from the news cycle. Events like the World Cup, Pride Month and even the New York Knicks’ recent NBA championship win, have people ready to party again, and Perry’s album is surprisingly apt to soundtrack the proceedings.

Picture a drive up the PCH on a postcard-sunny California day, as the beat drops on 143’s rapturous second single, “Lifetimes,” with sunroof open and windows down. The soulful house vibe of “Lifetimes” gives way to the Crystal Waters-samping (and Doechii-assisted) “I’m His, He’s Mine,” which failed to hit the Billboard Hot 100, but is a guaranteed groove at balls and block parties alike. The Eurodance appeal of “Crush” would well, crush, at Nikki Beach (or any beach for that matter), and it’s impossible not to wind your hips around the slinky pulsating beats on “Truth.”

While fans were divided over many of 143’s album tracks, “All the Love” and “Nirvana” were consistently name-dropped as favorites, and the synthy electronic cuts float in the air as two songs destined for a night out in Ibiza — or the gay village. Even “Woman’s World,” which wasn’t the feminist manifesto Perry wanted it to be, lives on pretty well as a hype song for bachelorette parties or a night out with the girls.

And then there’s “Wonder,” which Perry performed at the World Cup kickoff with 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka. The song was heard blaring from cars exiting SoFi Stadium after the U.S. team’s winning first match, and it deserves to be a staple at upcoming matches and World Cup viewing parties alike. The euphoric track is akin to Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars,” capturing the excitement and magic of a particular moment in time, whether it’s cheering on an entire country on the biggest sporting stage in the world, or marking a milestone with cherished family and friends.

Of course, there are better albums in Perry’s discography, and 143 never quite reaches the heights of Teenage Dream or even 2017’s Witness. But if you pull out the EDM jams and put them on a playlist, you may be pleasantly surprised at just how well they hold up for a summer road trip, dayclub party, or pool day and barbecue at home The album won’t change your life, but it could just change your mood.

The weather is balmy, spirits are high and the country feels ready to rally. Maybe we’re just feeling optimistic, but 143 seems primed to finally have its time in the sun.

Suggested 143 Playlist:

“Woman’s World”
“Lifetimes”
“I’m His, He’s Mine”
“All the Love”
“Nirvana”
“Crush”
“Wonder”
“Truth”
“Walking on Air” (a perfect-fitting bonus track from Perry 2013 album, PRISM)