When Kesha released her third album Rainbow last week, expectations were low. The fact the album came out at all is a miracle.
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.
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.
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.
The daughter of country singer Pebe Sebert, Kesha explores that lineage in the opener Bastards. Over a
gently strummed acoustic guitar she comes to terms with her struggles: "I could fight forever but life's too short."
In Let 'Em Talk, 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."
Fortunately, Kesha's pop instincts have not totally left her, Hymn boasts a dynamic chorus while the gospel-tinged Praying is a stirring power ballad.
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.
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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt
Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers
Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
