Katy Perry Announces 'Celebratory' Sixth Album “143”, Sets Fall Release Date

The singer said she "set out to create a bold, exuberant, celebratory dance-pop album" with her forthcoming studio effort

It’s a very, very exciting year for all pop girlies because Katy Perry is officially back!

On Wednesday, July 10, the 39-year-old singer launched into her newest musical era by announcing her much-anticipated sixth studio album, 143. She shared the news wide on social media, confirming her album’s title — a nod to the throwback pager translation for “I love you” — and sharing its cover artwork and release date: Sept. 20.

“I set out to create a bold, exuberant, celebratory dance-pop album with the symbolic 143 numerical expression of love as a throughline message,” Perry explained in a statement.

The same day her album arrives, Perry will also headline a sold-out show at Rock in Rio in Brazil, marking her first performance at the Rio de Janeiro festival since 2015.

According to a press release shared with PEOPLE, the singer’s forthcoming album marks a “sexy, fearless return to form” for the 13-time Grammy-nominated artist after months of teasing her new pop chapter.

Related: Rita Ora Reflects on Hanging Out with Katy Perry at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour: 'Pop Girls Come Together'

The pop star last released her fifth studio album, Smile, back in 2020 but has apparently been eager to drop new music again. During her PLAY Las Vegas Residency in August 2023, Perry joked about fans embracing her “KP6 era,” referring to her soon-to-be-released sixth album.

“If you couldn’t love me in my Witness and Smile eras, then you can’t love me in my KP6 era,” the “Teenage Dream” singer told the audience in fan-captured footage.

Perry will kick things off officially on Thursday, July 11 with her new album’s first single, “Woman’s World,” described as a “powerful celebration of womanhood in all its forms.” Since first announcing the track on June 17, she’s dropped plenty of breadcrumbs about it and teased a slew of snippets in Instagram posts.

On July 4, the “Firework” singer shamelessly promoted her single on Instagram while paying tribute to her 2010 smash hit with a patriotic photo of herself wearing a bedazzled, star-shaped swimsuit emblazoned with stars and stripes.

Related: Katy Perry Scrubs Her Diamond Certification Awards While 'Housecleaning' Ahead of New Single 'Woman's World'

“BB UR A FIREWORK 🎆and speaking of work, WOMAN’S WORLD IS GOING TO WORK IN ONE WEEK HAPPY 4TH 🇺🇸,” she wrote in a caption.

Ahead of its official release on streaming platforms, “Woman’s World” will also get the music video treatment with a visual dropping on July 12, according to Perry.

Related: Luke Bryan Teases 3 Pop Stars Who Could Possibly Replace Katy Perry as the Next American Idol Judge

Perry’s return to music follows her recent exit from American Idol’s judging panel after seven seasons. The musician announced her departure on Jimmy Kimmel Live! back in February, saying, “I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol.”

It was then that she also teased her upcoming album, telling host Kimmel, “It’s going to be a very, very exciting year … for all popstar girlies!”

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