Katy Perry thinks it is time to tackle more serious issues as far as her career goes.

The Teenage Dream singer revealed that her music is taking a darker turn following her split from Russell Brand.

The 37-year-old comedian filed for divorce last year after 14 months of marriage to the 27-year-old pop singer.

She said: "I feel I have a lot to say on the next record. I have a lot to flush out of the system.

"I'm not saying that I'm not going to be the candy queen any more, but I think it's time for more meat and potatoes."

Perry continued to the Radio Times: "With Teenage Dream, I created this cotton candy cloud with a kind of a wink and a kiss, and it was all cute and fun and playful.

"Now it's as if I have had to step off this cloud and face reality."

Her struggle to keep her marriage alive can be seen in her new concert movie Katy Perry: Part Of Me, where she flies back to the United States in between shows to be with her now-estranged husband.

She added: "I made that sacrifice because I had made a commitment

"Sometimes I had to fly in on the day of the show, completely jet-lagged and feeling like I had been hung by my ankles, and have to go on stage."