Professionally and personally, Kesha has officially moved on from her days of glitter bombs and teeth-brushing with bottom-shelf whiskey. In a poignant essay for Rolling Stone, the Tik Tok singer talks embracing her “true rock and soul influences” for her upcoming album, Rainbow, and the story behind the sound of her new song, which is already clambering to the top of the mainstream music trends.
“Musically, I really couldn’t be more proud of this record. I think that this album sonically sounds more like the music I listen to than anything else I’ve ever done in the past,” Kesha writes. “I realized that for most of my life I was intimidated even to try and run in the leagues of the people I look up to. With Woman, I hope my fans will hear that wild spirit still strong inside me but this time it was created more raw, spontaneously and with all live instrumentation, which I found was a huge reason I loved the records I did love.”
She includes Iggy Pop, Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, James Brown, the Beatles and Dolly Parton among her true musical influences, and notes that she actually penned Woman with two men.
“It was such a beautiful experience to write such a strong female empowerment song with two men … because it reinforces how supportive men can be of women AND feminism,” she writes. “That day was one of the best writing sessions of my life. It was pure raw joy. I have never had such a wonderful and hilarious work day as I did that day. It was one of those days I’ll remember forever, because it brought me back to why I wanted to ever start making music.”
In the essay, Kesha makes a departure from some of the more somber notes she’s touched on in prior interviews regarding her ongoing legal battle with her former producer, Dr. Luke, who she attempted to void contracts with after accusing him of rape.
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