Cynthia Parkhurst

Katy Perry Sings of a Relationship That Left Her ‘Bleeding Out Slow’ in New Single ‘Bandaids’

by · Variety

Katy Perry‘s new single “Bandaids” has her reflecting on the end of her relationship with actor Orlando Bloom. Equally as frightening and emotionally-taxing is the single’s matching “Final Destination”-style video where Perry finds her positive outlook on life — notably at the core of her “143” album and era — has run dry.

“It’s not what you did, it’s what you didn’t,” Perry sings in the introduction of the pop track. “You were there, but you weren’t.”

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The video, directed by Christian Breslauer (SZA, Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Doja Cat), stitches together scenes where Perry’s carelessness leads her to nearly die — this ranges from electrocution (after leaving the “Light and Love Crystals” store) to car crashes and more.

At the end of the video, where Perry proclaims “if I had to do it all over again, I would still do it all over again,” she is left listening to the empowering chorus of her “Woman’s World” single at a gas station where she lights a cigarette and causes an explosion.

Perry and Bloom announced their split earlier this summer after nine years together. They are now co-parenting their daughter, Daisy Dove. In the video, Perry finds a moment of calm amid the anxiety of her near-death encounters when she spots a white daisy growing from the ground — another symbol reflecting her real-life state of mind.

“Bandaids” marks Perry’s first comeback following the release of her “143,” which she followed and supported with a global tour that concludes in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 7. The record — which featured 21 Savage, Kim Petras, Doechii and JID — debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 upon its release.

Watch the video below.