Kesha

Kesha’s third album, 2017’s Rainbow, came with more baggage than any pop album should be asked to carry. Her first project since her high-profile lawsuit against former collaborator Dr. Luke and its subsequent legal and label entanglements, it was heralded on arrival as a bold and cathartic statement of intent, but wasn’t necessarily the good-time dance-pop she’d made her name on. Three years later, the 15 cheeky, genre-hopping songs that make up High Road are about—and the results of—having a lot of that weight lifted. “I just tried to make it as low-pressure as possible because I feel like my whole career has been this race against time,” she tells Apple Music. “And on this album, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to make—exactly what genre, exactly what sound—and I wanted to not put a time on it and just see what would happen if I allowed that for myself.” Here Kesha talks through the inspiration behind a few of her favorite High Road tracks.

Outgrowing the wild-hearted club anthems that defined her ascent, Kesha sounds reborn on her third album, commanding a set of sonically broad, heartfelt pop. Here, she punctuates the assertive funk of “Woman” with The Dap-Kings’ horn section and sings country-touched harmonies with Dolly Parton. But Rainbow is held together by Kesha’s elastic, giggle-to-roar vocal, which sounds best on blasting, jittery confections like “Boogie Feet” and “Learn to Let Go."

Outgrowing the wild-hearted club anthems that defined her ascent, Kesha sounds reborn on her third album, commanding a set of sonically broad, heartfelt pop. Here, she punctuates the assertive funk of “Woman” with The Dap-Kings’ horn section and sings country-touched harmonies with Dolly Parton. But Rainbow is held together by Kesha’s elastic, giggle-to-roar vocal, which sounds best on blasting, jittery confections like “Boogie Feet” and “Learn to Let Go."

Who is Kesha? That’s the question . (Period) seeks to answer, after a decade of high-profile lawsuit battles that resulted in the singer and her longtime (former) producer Dr. Luke settling their messy litigation in 2024. Her last album, which was also her final entry released via Dr. Luke’s imprint, found the party girl toning everything down and trying out folk, gospel, country and acoustic elements. But Period is a whiplash back to Kesha 1.0. "You want kids/ Well, I am mother," she sings on "JOYRIDE.," reminding us all that she is the original brat, years before Charli XCX (who paid homage by featuring Kesha on her "Spring breakers" remix). But their connection, at least as it manifests here, is more spiritual than sonic.

Kesha reclaims her place in the music world with her new song, "Praying" - the initial advance track from 'Rainbow', her first album in nearly five years. Kesha wrote "Praying" with Ryan Lewis, Ben Abraham, and Andrew Joslyn; Lewis (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis) produced the track. 'Rainbow' will be released August 11th on Kemosabe Records/RCA Records. The music video for "Praying," is directed by Jonas Åkerlund. 'Rainbow' marks a new beginning for Kesha, one based around inner strength and musical exploration as she achieves her vision for the album by enlisting a roster of collaborators ranging from Eagles of Death Metal to Dolly Parton. Ben Folds produced the title track with Kesha, while Ricky Reed produced and wrote numerous tracks as well. Wrabel co-wrote a collaboration that features the Dap-Kings horn section.

Kesha reclaims her place in the music world with her new song, "Praying" - the initial advance track from 'Rainbow', her first album in nearly five years. Kesha wrote "Praying" with Ryan Lewis, Ben Abraham, and Andrew Joslyn; Lewis (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis) produced the track. 'Rainbow' will be released August 11th on Kemosabe Records/RCA Records. The music video for "Praying," is directed by Jonas Åkerlund.

'Gag Order' is an album that finds the GRAMMY-nominated pop star, Kesha, excavating the deepest recesses of her soul to date. The record, which Kesha has labeled 'post-pop' and was produced by Rick Rubin, is a full-bodied collection that flows like a stream of conscious journey through the psychedelic dark depths of the human psyche followed by basking in the cleansing light when finally reaching the surface.