Chris DeLine

At last month’s Brit Awards, Katy Perry beat out Beyoncé, Pink, and Santigold to capture the award for International Female Solo Artist. She accepted it in humble fashion, bashfully wishing thanks to a laundry list of names before explaining that, due to being quite ill, she wasn’t planning on appearing at the show. Contrasting such an abashed public persona are public tiffs with other singers, a controversy over a picture of Perry fashionably brandishing a knife, and performances wearing excessively vibrant get-ups. But such a balance is part of what’s so attractive about the singer; at any given moment she can be an over-the-top pop star, or a soft-spoken songwriter gently performing with her guitar. On top of it all, Perry writes much of her own music and can honestly carry a tune without ridiculous enhancements, making her a musician who has the potential for of maintaining an exciting career for years to come. With the Daylights. 15+.

[This critics’ pick was originally published by City Pages.]