KATY Perry has been behind some of the defining hits of the past decade, selling 40million albums and 128million singles around the world.

But as she launches her return with brilliant new single Never Really Over, the pop superstar has told how she is doing everything different this time around.

12 The release of Katy Perry's comeback single Never Really Over marks a new era as she vows to make more music Credit: Getty

Ever since her breakthrough album One Of The Boys in 2008, which featured No1 single I Kissed A Girl, she has focused on writing an album, releasing it, and then touring.

Yet I can reveal that after four major world tours, totalling almost 500 shows, she has decided to throw the music manual out of the window.

She is bringing it back to just the music and will release songs whenever she wants.

During a visit to London she played my reporter Howell Davies three new songs and talked about her plans.

12 The singer shot to stardom with No1 hit I Kissed A Girl on her breakthrough album One Of The Boys Credit: Getty

12 She chatted with The Sun's Howell Davies as she played three of her new songs

She said: “I don’t really want to go on tour right now. I can’t make a record while I’m on the road because one thing suffers.”

The larger-than-life star, whose most recent album Witness was released in 2017, said it now feels much more “authentic” to put out songs as and when they are ready.

Speaking about the music industry, Katy said: “I feel a little bit like 2008 was a time, and now 2019 is a totally different time, and all of the change that has happened in between that, it’s a totally different playing field.

“I mean, you have to rewire and relearn. I would say that, as an observer, and a big fan of music, there are fewer characters. Lots of songs come out, but fewer characters and personalities.”

12 After doing almost 500 shows she has now pledged to stop touring to focus on creating again Credit: Getty

There is certainly plenty of Katy’s personality in Never Really Over, which has been produced by ZEDD and is out today.

In the anthemic chorus, she sings: “Oh we were such a mess, but wasn’t it the best? Thought it was done, but I guess it’s never really over.”

It’s her first official solo music in two years and certainly paves a path for an exciting few months in pop.

Katy, it’s good to have you back.

12 She has also decided to do things differently as she says that it feels more 'authentic' to put out songs whenever they are ready Credit: Getty

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BIZARRE COLUMN

Michael sees double Buble

AFTER his 11-date UK tour sold out in minutes, I can reveal MICHAEL BUBLE is giving his fans more of what they want.

He is performing in London, Leeds and Dublin before winding up in Belfast on June 10.

12 Michael Buble is giving his fans more of what they want and adding seven additional gigs to his tour Credit: Getty

But he will return later in the year, starting in Aberdeen on November 27, with further dates in Newcastle, Liverpool and Nottingham. He will bow out in the capital on December 9.

Michael will head home to Canada for family time after the Belfast shows then resume touring a month later in the US.

Plenty of fans will be counting the days until he’s back.

12 Michael is returning to performing after taking a break following his son's cancer diagnosis Credit: Getty

Bizbit DRAX Project want to team up with Justin Bieber after working with Hailee Steinfeld on Woke Up Late. The Kiwi four-piece have an album out this year they wrote while on tour with Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello.

Lucky lot

AHEAD of his Glastonbury headline slot next month Stormzy tried out his set on a lucky group of fans at an exclusive bash in the middle of the Thames.

The rapper took to a floating stage in London to help EE celebrate becoming the first network to switch on 5G.

12 Stormzy tested out his new set on some lucky fans as he prepares for his Glastonbury slot next month Credit: PA:Press Association

12 He appeared on a floating stage in London Credit: PA:Press Association

Along with those jammy enough to catch the gig live from a boat in front of the stage, others were invited to watch his explosive performance, which included his No1 track Vossi Bop, through a 360 virtual reality experience in stores across the UK.

If the fireworks from this show are anything to go by, Stormzy’s Glasto set on the Pyramid Stage is going to be incredible.

Bizmeter GUNS N’ Roses have begun writing their seventh studio album. Guitarist Slash said: “We’ve already started working on stuff. When we finish the tour in the autumn, then we will commence working on what will end up being the next Guns record. I am excited.”

Joel Kinnaman has confirmed he’s taking part in the follow up to DC’s 2016 hit film Suicide Squad. He will reprise his role as Rick Flag, alongside Margot Robbie, Jared Leto and Viola Davis. Idris Elba will make his DC debut as a mystery new character.

After the success of Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody, director Dexter Fletcher has revealed: “I’d do Madonna. I don’t know how happy she’d be about that . . . but what an extraordinary life that would be. If I was to tackle any other icon like that, it would be her.”

Jay Z will host the official listening party for Prince’s posthumous album Originals in Los Angeles next Thursday. The rapper said it gives fans a “peek behind the curtain”, adding: “Prince led the way, for artistic freedom, for ownership. He’s one of the bravest people I can think of in the industry.”

I'm Keane on tunes

KEANE will soon release new album Cause And Effect – and having heard some of the tracks, fans won’t be disappointed.

During the band’s hiatus, frontman Tom Chaplin couldn’t see a way he’d reunite with Richard Hughes, Jesse Quin and Tim Rice-Oxley.

12 After a hiatus, Keane look to be back on form as they release their new album Cause And Effect Credit: Getty

Having split from the group to go solo, he’d also suffered drug addiction. But now they’re back.

Speaking of the hiatus, Tom said: “I wanted to do something else with my life for a bit and creatively I wanted to write. Unconsciously I also needed time to really go and finish off my addictive behaviour.”

As well as the band issues, Tim also revealed he’d split from his wife Jayne. He said: “To suddenly have those two things at the same time disappearing I suppose made it a difficult few years.”

Tom told how he got things back on track with Tim “a couple of Christmases ago”. He said: “I invited him over, we sat by the fire and chewed the fat and had a lovely time.”

Bizbit TOVE Lo has released her single Glad He’s Gone, from upcoming album Sunshine Kitty. Other stars with new music out today include Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus, Cardi B, Camila Cabello and Cheryl Tweedy.

Gould-star wedding

ELLIE Goulding’s wedding guests are in for a real treat at her upcoming nuptials.

The singer says she’ll sing when she walks down the aisle to marry art dealer Caspar Jopling.

12 Ellie Goulding is engaged to New York-based art dealer Caspar Jopling - the pair were rumoured to have started dating two years ago Credit: Rex Features

Describing music as the “most important” part of her big day, she revealed: “I turned to my fiancé and said, ‘Get ready’, and he said, ‘You’re kidding?’

“I’m going to sing myself down the aisle.”

At least bride-to-be Ellie, who announced her engagement with a notice in The Times last August, has lots of experience of singing at weddings.

She has performed for pals and even sang when Kate and Wills married.

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