Anais Gutierrez
On Thursday, Ke$ha broke her musical hiatus and unveiled a new video for the song ‘Praying.’ The new single is part of her upcoming album ‘Rainbow,’ which is set to debut on August 11.
The singer penned a heartfelt essay for Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner’s ‘Lenny Letter’ to go along with the debut of the song. As a way of saying “im stronger than ever”
Ke$ha is stronger than ever with her new single ‘Praying’
Ke$ha announced the track via a series of Instagram videos posted Wednesday evening. “Animals, I have a surprise for you,” she said, referring to her fans. ave a surprise for you,” she said, referring to her fans.
“Your support and love and kindness has gotten me through hands down the hardest time of my entire life. My new song, ‘Praying,’ is coming out tomorrow, and I couldn’t have done this without you. I love you.”
The video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund, and seems to have been shot in part within the Salvation Mountain art installation in Joshua Tree. It shows a contemplative, melancholy Kesha wandering amid the rolling, painted hills of the installation. Ke$sha also kneels down to pray and runs through the sands with a liberative flag trailing.
The accompanying video moves between grim black-and-white and hopeful, vivid color. Kesha plays the piano while outfitted in angel wings.At the end of the clip, she appears to walk on water.
Kesha’s album ‘Rainbow’ is due out August 11 and is described as “a new beginning for Kesha, one based on inner strength and musical exploration.” ‘Rainbow’ features a wide array of collaborators, including Eagles of Death Metal, Dolly Parton, hitmaker Ricky Reed, the Dap-Kings horn section and Kesha’s mom, Pebe Sebert.
Not about a tormentor but rather about finding strength
It’s hard to listen and translate ‘Praying’ in isolation from that protracted and public legal battle with her former mentor, though its tone is both one of pardon and excision.
“This song is about coming to feel empathy for someone else, even if they hurt you or scare you,” Kesha wrote in a blog post on Thursday for Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner’s newsletter and website Lenny.
“It’s a song about learning to be proud of the person you are even during low moments when you feel alone.It’s also about hoping everyone, even someone who hurt you, can heal.” In fact, the song’s lyrics seem to squarely place Dr. Luke, without ever naming him, at its receiving end:
“Told me that I was / Nothing without you / That after everything you’ve done / I can thank you for / How strong I have became / You brought the flames / And put me through hell / And we both know the truth I could tell / I hope you’re somewhere / Praying.“
But to make that assumption undermines the singer’s overreaching message.
Kesha’s first single in four years is all about finding strength in one’s darkest moments, no matter what those moments are. Instead of being directed at any one person, it’s dedicated to all of those like Kesha who have chosen happiness over despair and who want to encourage others to do the same.
“I hope this song reaches people who are in the midst of struggles, to let them know that no matter how bad it seems now, you can get through it,” she wrote. “If you have love and truth on your side, you will never be defeated. Don’t give up on yourself.”
These impactful messages are the reason why simply saying Kesha’s ‘Praying’ is about Dr. Luke takes away from all the progress she’s made in her struggle to become who she is now, and really minimize her journey.
Legal battle, sadly still ongoing
The single comes after Kesha spent nearly three years fighting a public battle with Lukasz Gottwald, better known as the producer Dr. Luke.
Since October 2014, the singer has been embattled in several lawsuits in an effort to be released from her contract with Sony and producer Dr. Luke, whom she has accused of sexually assaulting and abusing her. The producer sued Kesha for defamation and breach of contract. Dr. Luke also filed two libel lawsuits against Kesha’s mother, Pebe Sebert, and she, in turn, filed counterclaims.
Some of the lawsuits have been dropped, others have been denied, the complicated legal battle continues though. In March, Kesha’s recently amended lawsuit was also rejected. Ke$ha, as well as other sexual assault survivors, has been forced to continue working with her alleged assaultant.
In fact, ‘Rainbow’ will be released via Kemosabe Records, Dr. Luke’s label arm.
However, last April, it was revealed that Sony Music and Kemosabe Records, the label arm of Luke’s music businesses were in negotiations over the future of the label and that Luke was no longer acting as CEO of the company.
Anyways, we’re proud of Ke$ha and the journey she’s followed. Can’t wait to hear the rest of ‘Rainbow.’
Source: Consequences Of Sound
