Kesha, High Road | Album Review 💿

Grammy-nominated pop artist Kesha brings ample spirit, energy, and f-bombs on her colorful fourth studio album, High Road. 

Kesha wowed us in 2017 with the powerful pop record, “Praying”.  The Grammy-nominated performance” served as the crowning achievement of her Grammy-nominated third album, Rainbow. Rainbow was an album that shined because it showed how much more versatile she was a musician beyond the likes of, well, “Tik Tok”, and of course, replacing the ‘$’ with a regular old ‘S.’  But don’t get it twisted – she’s no boring artist just because she’s matured.  Her fourth studio album, High Road, still finds Kesha having a hell of a good time, with emphasis on ‘hell,’ particularly ‘raising it.’ If you thought she’d totally nix the f-bombs and ridiculous puns, well, you were totally wrong.  She may take the High Road but she’s still U-N-A-P-O-L-O-G-E-T-I-C.

“Tonight”

Kesha kicks off High Road with ✓ “Tonight,” a song that initially seems like it’s going to be a dramatic, powerhouse ballad.  After performing the centerpiece, the chorus, in a slower tempo, “Tonight” grows quicker, more unapologetic with its profanity, and takes on more of a hip-hop sensibility.  Eventually, “Tonight” brings all of the parts together, embracing pop, hip-hop, and honestly, the ‘Ke$ha’ of old, who makes an official appearance further down the track list.  If nothing else, Sebert ensures High Road is thrilling from the jump.

The individuality and carefree nature of Kesha continues on another unapologetic number, ✓ “My Own Dance.” Notably, some of the quirky nature of the singer returns, much more than it did on Rainbow.  On the first verse, she even references revisiting those old days: “Hungover as hell like 2012, fuck it.” ‘Fuck it’ is definitely the mindset, confirmed by the absurd, eyebrow-raising lyric from the chorus, “Hey, I don’t do that dance / Don’t circumcise my circumstance.” Wow.  High Road definitely begins distinctly if nothing else.

“Raising Hell”

For standout ✓ “Raising Hell”, Kesha brings along bounce phenom, Big Freedia. As the title suggests, “Raising Hell” is an incredibly energetic pop joint. In addition to the feisty title, Sebert is feisty and ‘turned up’ early on.  After a tame first verse, she drops ‘the bomb’ on the pre-chorus, which is part of a contradictory sentiment you might say:

“I’m all fucked up in my Sunday best
No walk of shame ‘cause I love this dress
Hungover, heart of gold, holy mess
Doin’ my best, bitch, I’m blessed.”

Essentially, she seems to be owning the fact that she’s rough around the edges.  She’s no saint, but doing her best and is blessed, nonetheless. Big Freedia plays a superb supporting role to Kesha throughout, bringing that attitude.  The production by Omega and Stint is respectable, matching the energy of both performers.

Jeff Bhasker helps Kesha take the ✓ “High Road” on the fourth track from her fourth studio album.  Additionally, besides Bhasker’s production and writing, she-cowrites the fast, high-energy cut with Nate Ruess and Stephen Wrabel.  The big takeaway from this number is that she’s not going to let anybody, or anything keep her from living her life to the fullest. Adversity won’t dominate her when it’s all said and done.

“Shadow”

The production reins go to Drew Pearson on “Shadow,” the fifth track from High Road that begins the second quarter of the album.  Finally, with the arrival of “Shadow,” Kesha delivers that big ballad she’s been teasing since, well “Tonight.”  She’s more serious here, but don’t get it twisted – she still lets the profanity fly. “And I love singing ‘fuck’ in all my songs,” she sings on the pre-chorus, “‘Cause the only people who got time to get offended / Are the ones who’ve probably never gotten off.” Damn!

She follows “Shadow” with one of the most soulful pop records from the album, “Honey.” That said, the soulfulness comes from the guitar-accompanied production (Stuart Crichton) and the background vocals.  This is more of a hip-hop infused R&B cut, finding Kesha rapping a great deal of it.  Still, she gets her own elite singing vocals into the mix.  That said, one of the most memorable moments of the song is the Tayla Parx ad-lib, “Google me, bitch, Google me, bitch.” Sigh – oh Kesha!

“Cowboy Blues” 

“Cowboy Blues” marks one of many ‘changes of pace’ that take place throughout High Road.  How so? Well, “Cowboy Blues” finds Sebert dipping into country and folk-pop.  Prior to Rainbow, this might’ve been a shocking, about face.  But, after a thrilling cover of “Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle to You)”, among other unexpected numbers, we know anything is possible with Kesha – she can’t merely be boxed in. Still, a four-minute ukulele-accompanied number wasn’t what I expected.  It’s successful though. She remains planted in country music for a second consecutive song, “Resentment.” On “Resentment,” she collaborates with unlikely musicians, at least working collectively: Sturgill Simpson, Brian Wilson (!), and Wrabel.  Again, this isn’t what we expect, but the results are effective. Neither “Cowboy Blues” or “Resentment” top the list of gems by my estimations, but both are quite intriguing, nonetheless.

✓ “Little Bit of Love” returns Kesha to more familiar territory. Short, but sweet, she flaunts both her big voice and even ‘larger than life’ personality.  Expectedly, she gets her ‘bomb’ in (“Big red heart sunglasses on, the ones that light up / You didn’t even give a fuck”), and she drops a simple, but potent chorus.  Stint stiches up a brassy, exuberant backdrop for her to do her thing.  Of course, she goes all out ‘nude’ on “Birthday Suit,” another Stuart Crichton production.  Again, if there was fear that the more mature Rainbow had totally killed off ‘Ke$ha,’ well, “Birthday Suit” dispels that myth completely.  She continues to rap in tongue-in-cheek fashion, dropping that sexual innuendo like no other.  The chorus is absolutely infectious to the nth degree:

“I know we’re both thinking
I wanna get you in your birthday suit
Who’s gonna be the first to make the move?
You got any secret tattoos?
Ooh, goddamn, baby
Ooh, goddamn.”

“Kinky”

Ke$ha officially returns on “Kinky,” another record that highlights that fun, totally carefree version of Kesha.  Is it over the top? Totally.  Is it absolutely ridiculous? Hell yes, by all means.  That said, “Kinky” is infectiously groovy, while the chorus is pretty rad.  It’s also progressive: “Boys kiss boys kiss girls kiss girls / That’s how it’s meant to be.” The third verse/bridge section is definitely unique – “I like it when you’re beggin’ on your knees sometimes.”

Things get even more… um… unique. “The Potato Song (Cuz I Want To)” is bizarre.  Once more, Stuart Crichton puts in work for Kesha, so there’s that.  But, the lyrics and the performance – wild.  Even if you leave High Road hearing “The Potato Song” and wondering ‘what the actual fuck is this,’ it definitely stands out.  “I’ll be riding my pony until it’s time for candy,” she sings on the chorus, continuing, “And I’ll be naked because I want to / La-di-da-di-da.” Whatever you say Ms. Sebert – do your “own dance” girl.

✓ “BFF” was a personal favorite from High Road.  It may not eclipse the most elite numbers mind you, but the concept is more rarity than commonplace, musically speaking.  Kesha, assisted by Wrabel (with more impressive production work by Crichton), sings about her best friend, who happens to be gay. Both artists reminisce about their many times together as friends, exhibiting their support and dedication for one another.  That dedication includes “I knew you were nervous, and I thought it’d make you laugh / So I sent you a bag of candy dicks.” #Friendship.

“Father Daughter Dance” 

On the penultimate cut of many editions of High Road, “Father Daughter Dance,” Kesha manages to balance her potty mouth (she loves her f-bombs) and legitimate emotions.  Rather than focus on profanity, the big takeaway is how Sebert is honest about not having a father in her life, best summed up as she sings, on the chorus, “In all my days, from my cradle to my grave / I’ll never have a father-daughter dance.”

The quicker, more rhythmic “Chasing Thunder” serves as the closing cut on many editions (some add “Summer” as the final cut).  “Chasing Thunder” is another more thoughtful cut, with Sebert finding inspiration from a story from her grandmother on the first verse.  Rather than live safe, Kesha’s “Got that gypsy blood, always chasing thunder.”

Final Thoughts 

So, how does High Road stack up? All in all, this is another enjoyable pop album from Kesha. She’s pretty good at the pop star thing, if I do say so myself. High Road isn’t quite as refined as Rainbow, but arguably, it’s looser and perhaps, even more fun.  There are definitely some worthwhile bops worth spinning multiple time over.

✓ Gems: “Tonight,” “My Own Dance,” “Raising Hell,” “High Road,” “Little Bit of Love,” “Birthday Suit” & “BFF”

Kesha • High Road • Kemosabe • Release: 1.31.20

Photo Credit: Kemosabe