<span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-track="45">W</span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">hen Kesha released her third album </span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-fs="NormalItalic"><em>Rainbow </em></span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">last week, expectations were low. The fact the album came out at all is a miracle.</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">The 30-year-old pop star has recently emerged from one of the most acrimonious legal battles in the music industry of recent years, in which she accused former mentor and producer Dr Luke of allegations ranging from emotional abuse to scuppering the release of new tracks.</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">The court battle may now be resolved but Dr Luke's ghost hangs all over this record. Most of the songs address the producer indirectly, either through missives or artistic statements of defiance.</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">With Kesha's two previous Dr Luke-helmed albums so tightly produced, there is a wilful display of variety on offer here as the album takes on funk, punk rock and more rootsy sounds.</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">The daughter of country singer Pebe Sebert, Kesha explores that lineage in the opener </span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-fs="NormalItalic"><em>Bastards</em></span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">. Over a<br/> gently strummed acoustic guitar she comes to terms with her struggles: "I could fight forever but life's too short."</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">In</span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-fs="NormalItalic"><em> Let 'Em Talk</em></span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">, her rousing collaboration with Eagles of Death Metal, Kesha channels Joan Jett as she slays the demons of gossipmongers: "It used to hurt me, used to bring me down / Do your worst, 'cause nothing's gonna stop me now."</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">Fortunately, Kesha's pop instincts have not totally left her, </span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-fs="NormalItalic"><em>Hymn</em></span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]"> boasts a dynamic chorus while the gospel-tinged </span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]" data-atex-fs="NormalItalic"><em>Praying </em></span><span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">is a stirring power ballad.</span> <span data-atex-cstyle="$ID/[No character style]">The highlight is undoubtedly the title track. With indie-piano man Ben Folds providing gentle accompaniment, Kesha delivers her finest vocal take yet. It is a powerful and bruised ode to survival from trauma. When Kesha's voice, a quavering mix of joy and pain, states "now I see the colours in everything", you believe and can't help but cheer her on.</span> __________________________ <strong>READ MORE</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/album-review-lana-del-rey-s-lust-for-life-revels-in-its-dark-glory-1.618274" style="background-color: rgb(153, 255, 153); outline: gray solid 1px;">Album review: Lana Del Rey's Lust for Life revels in its dark glory</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/album-review-arcade-fire-try-to-keep-it-light-with-new-album-everything-now-1.616511">Album review: Arcade Fire try to keep it light with new album Everything Now</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/calvin-harris-tops-forbes-list-of-highest-earning-djs-for-fifth-year-1.618199">Calvin Harris tops Forbes list of highest-earning DJs for fifth year</a></strong> __________________________