We haven’t heard a peep from Katy Perry since she dropped “Prism” nearly three years ago in all its misguided sunflower aesthetic/cultural appropriative glory. Now, Perry has returned in a big way with her new single “Rise,” an anthem the world needs right now.
The song will be used throughout NBC’s 2016 Rio Olympics coverage to provide a soundtrack to beach volleyball or swimming or whatever other sports people play in the summer.
At 11 p.m. on Thursday, Perry tweeted out a link to the single, which is exclusively available to stream on Apple Music or download on iTunes, alongside the cover art.
“TOGETHER WE #RISE,” she wrote.
In a statement released on Friday, Perry said the song has been “brewing inside me for years.”
“I was inspired to finish it now, rather than save it for my next album, because now more than ever, there is a need for our world to unite,” she said. “I know that together we can rise above the fear — in our country, and around the world. I can’t think of a better example than the Olympic athletes, as they gather in Rio with their strength and fearlessness, to remind us how we ALL can come together, with the resolve to be the best we can be. I hope this song can inspire us to heal, unite, and rise together. I am honored that NBC Olympics has chosen to use it as an anthem before and during the Rio Games.”
Perry made sure to mention that the song is not the lead single for her next album, but instead an “amuse bouche” that’s still “yummy to ur tummy tho.”
Watch the music video for the track below:
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