Kesha

Kesha Rose Sebert may be one of the most visible artists in the world given her court battle with former producer Lukasz 'Dr. Luke' Gottwald, but her change of sonic direction of her very long-awaited third studio album is one that should not be a surprise to anybody. For before the $ replaced the s in her name, the daughter of country songwriter and one-time The Simple Life star Pebe Sebert, had already openly discussed her inner battle between the two genres that defined her music taste. Upon leaving Nashville to seek fame and fortune, Kesha was armed with two songs - a tender country ballad and a trip-hop explosion. It would be the attitude within the later that would define her Dr. Luke years, but when left to her own devices to formulate her own artistic voice, the country within shines brightly.

That is not to say that Rainbow is by any means a trad. country exploration of her inner thoughts, but rather a gloriously enjoyable expression of her new found creative freedom, troublesome journey and definitive ambitions. Boasting collaborations with The Dap-Kings Horns, The Eagles of Death Metal and Dolly Parton and co-writes with Justin Tranter, Rick Nowels and her own mother, this is an eclectic collection that has a genuine throughline and a big heart at the very core.

While the Ke$ha classics Tik Tok, Your Love Is My Drug and Blow might still be enjoyable despite the controversy surrounding them, they were definitely crafted in a more chart-aware manner. Rainbow is fuelled rather by artistic integrity than chart ambition. Kesha Rose Sebert wants the world to get to know and understand a little better rather than simply shift another 59 million records.

Lead single Rainbow is without doubt one of the album's defining moments. The Ryan Lewis produced number is essentially a standard piano ballad, but it is the committed vocal and cleverly crafted lyrics that Kesha gets her listener engaged with wilting heart, provoked head and subtly swaying hips. The Ben Folds produced title track repeats the formula but to a different end goal, showing that Kesha is an artist who does not need all the tricks and tools of the trade to shine.

While these two songs are pehaps the most obviously intimate and introverted on the collection, when Kesha channels her most explosive inner self it is undeniably impressive. Having offered up an element of rock goddess on Warrior, teaming up with Eagles of Death Metal for two songs on Rainbow allows this to be realistically realised. The chanted Boogie Feet is a glorious Beth Ditto meets Santigold riot, while the country rock of Let 'Em Talk needs to dominate the radio waves with it's peppy addictive chorus and poignant summary of her personal experience.

For those wondering if the Nashville native is too pop to attempt trad country, the impeccable stomp and Walk The Line referencing Hunt You Down is a number that Margo Price and Kacey Musgraves would kill to record. If this doesn't hit #1 in the US country charts, then there really is something wrong with this world. Teaming up with Dolly Parton also proves a genius move, for while their vocals could not be more diametrically opposing, when they team up for this Hugh Moffatt and Pebe Sebert classic co-write they demonstrate they both shine brightly. This ought to be remembered as one of Dolly's finest duets and hopefully the first of many with a break-out country legend.

An album of real twists and turns. From the often harrowing narrative which transforms into glorious passion and self belief, through to the genre bending soundscape, Rainbow is glorious from start to finish. While the funk-drive of the female empowerment anthem Woman is without any doubt the album's killer high, the fact it has no lows is credit to the artist still fighting for her freedom.