Kesha’s Rainbow is an intensely evocative catharsis

Kesha’s first album in five years, Rainbow, is a wildly emotional journey that displays her songwriting and vocal talents in a brand new way.

The party-girl version of Kesha that her producer Dr. Luke carefully cultivated for the first several years of her career is no more. In her place stands a woman who’s faced down her abuser, struggled through depression, and come out the other side swinging. On Rainbow, Kesha demonstrates that not only is she an incredibly talented vocalist, but a smart, evocative songwriter. Her honesty is stunning. So is her ability to swing from ballad to dance bop and back again.

Rainbow is Kesha’s first studio album in five years. As a follow-up to 2012’s Warrior, it sounds like it’s by a completely different artist. In many ways, it is. Kesha has talked at length about her struggles with mental health and how this album saved her life. The emotion present in the record makes that clear. After a drawn-out legal battle against Dr. Luke, whom she accused of sexual assault and harassment, she finally has control over the music she puts out, and that freedom has done nothing but wonders for her sound.

In opening track “B*stards”, Kesha croons in a low, raspy register, “Been underestimated / My entire life / I know people gonna talk **** / And darling, that’s fine / But they won’t break my spirit.” The song sets the tone for Rainbow right off the bat, even as the second track, “Let ‘Em Talk” (with Eagles of Death Metal) takes a much more upbeat approach. Kesha is here, ready to have a good time, and living her truth. She won’t let anyone tell her she can’t do what she wants to do, so don’t even bother trying.

Kesha seamlessly integrates diverse musical stylings with soaring vocals and dark lyrical themes.

When Kesha has total control over her sound, she explores a significantly more diverse set of influences. Two tracks feature the hard rock band Eagles of Death Metal. Another features country legend Dolly Parton. Kesha hardly turns away from her pop roots on Rainbow — several tracks, including “Learn to Let Go” and “Woman” — call to mind the Kesha of old singles like “Cannibal.” However, her exploration of musical stylings takes listeners on a journey through country, jazz, swing, and even musical-inspired songs.

The truest star of this record is Kesha’s vocals, which soar. Raw talent shines through from the high note on the first single “Praying” to the playful and somewhat horrifying story song “Hunt You Down.” She holds her own with Dolly Parton and proves, track after track, that she sings because she’s good at it. And she loves it.

More than anything, Rainbow proves that Kesha really, really loves what she does. It’s a blessing that she can do it again, without the horror of her abuser influencing her work.

Kesha doesn’t shy away from her legal battle against Dr. Luke in her lyrics, though she doesn’t name him even once on this album. She sings straight to him, promises she’ll be just fine without him, and rails against the critics who’ve questioned her ability to rebuild her career without his help. The Kesha we all know and love for bashing the bad behavior of men is still very much present, though now her lyrics are darkly reminiscent of the pain she had splashed across headlines for months.

However, Kesha also sings about depression, faith, spirituality, and a desire to keep going. It’s true that the songs on Rainbow are sometimes dark and even tear-inducing; but the pure hope that shines through, especially on the closing track Spaceship, makes all that pain worth it. Every second. And that’s pretty incredible.

Rainbow is going to launch Kesha to superstardom.

Kesha has had several top 10 Billboard hits, but none of them hold a candle to any of the tracks on Rainbow. This album is a fresh start for the artist, whose career is only just getting started. Although she didn’t need to prove anything to anyone, she blew every previous record she’s done completely out of the water.

There’s something incredibly cathartic about listening to this record from start to finish. It’s one that will be talked about long after it falls off the charts, not only because of the controversy preceding it but because of the talent displayed on it.

Related Story: Kesha sings about finding freedom in new single “Praying”

Going into the weekend, do yourself a favor: listen to Rainbow. Absorb it. Feel it. Revel in it. Know that even on the darkest, rainiest days, there’s always a chance for sunlight, and with sunlight there’s often the chance for a rainbow. This album is gorgeous and utterly shameless in its emotional displays. Congratulations, Kesha. And thank you.