Katy Perry, “143.”

For Katy Perry, 143 isn’t just her first album in four years—it’s a return to making music after several years as a judge on “American Idol.” Her challenge was to capture the anthemic, larger-than-life magic of her earliest work. Perry has conquered the pop world with plenty of massive hits to her name. But more recent albums have been been uneven. Her seventh album, and first since 2020, has its good moments, but also has some problems.

Songs like “CRUSH” and “LIFETIMES” have a clubby bounce and a spark of kinetic energy that show some promise. The songs fuse ‘90s synths with big beats and top-shelf production, and Perry’s voice has its familiar powerful timbre. The upbeat “ALL THE LOVE” and “NIRVANA” also dial in the danceable club vibe; the latter packs a decent punch.

The best track on album is “ARTIFICIAL,” a heavy-hitting dark and moody track contrasting faceless technology and AI with the real-life feelings of love and passion. There’s an echo of the biting snark of some of Perry’s most memorable tracks; additionally, there’s a fiery verse from rapper J.I.D.

Some of that sentiment continues on the flashy and feisty “TRUTH,” an atmospheric track that infuses some darker tones. Perry is at her best when she’s standing up for herself with a message of collective empowerment.

“My intuition’s telling me things aren’t right,” she sings.

One challenge on 143 is that Perry has set such a high bar before. The 11-track, 35-minute album is fun and cohesive, with songs fading into the next. But it’s missing a big hit. At times, the album starts to blend together with pulsing-bass-and-synths.

The irony is that the songs positioned to be the showcase tracks on the album don’t move the needle the way the deeper cuts do. Single “Woman’s World” has a strong empowering message, but the act,panying video came off as a joke to the point Perry called it ironic a day later. It’s not an entirely fair comparison, but on most Katy Perry records, the opening track is an event that defines the era.

“She’s a flower/ She’s a thorn/ Super-human, number one,” Perry sings.

Perry’s collaborations are also a mixed bag. Rapper 21 Savage lays down a pair of relaxed verses on “GIMME GIMME” that don’t add much to the mix. On the other hand, singer Kim Petras brings a feistiness to heavy hitter “GORGEOUS,” and rapper Doechii carries mid-tempo rhythmic love song “I’M HIS, HE’S MINE.”

Perry’s daughter makes a cameo, singing the opening line of sweet ballad “WONDER.” There’s an earnest message that actually provides some of the best lyrical moments on the album on the track that’s seemingly directed at her children. The album shows Perry sometimes still has the chops, but quality is uneven.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at Twitter.com/mike_dewald.