Jump to content

Period (Kesha album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Period
Studio album by
Kesha
ReleasedJuly 4, 2025 (2025-07-04)
LabelKesha
Producer
Kesha chronology
Gag Order (Live Acoustic EP from Space)
(2023) 		Period
(2025)
Singles from Period
  1. "Joyride"
    Released: July 4, 2024
  2. "Delusional"
    Released: November 29, 2024
  3. "Yippee-Ki-Yay"
    Released: March 27, 2025

Period is the upcoming sixth studio album by American singer Kesha. It is scheduled to be released independently through her own label Kesha Records on July 4, 2025. It is the first project since her departure from RCA and Kemosabe Records in December 2023.

Prior to the album's release, three singles were released: "Joyride", "Delusional", and "Yippee-Ki-Yay", which features singer T-Pain on its single version. To further promote the album, Kesha is set to embark on the Tits Out Tour in July 2025.[1]

Background

[edit]

From 2014–2023, Kesha had been embroiled in a legal battle with her former producer, Dr. Luke. She had originally sued him for sexual assault and battery, then he countersued for defamation. The lawsuit halted Kesha's career for a few years and she had filed a preliminary injunction in 2016 to be released from her contract with RCA Records and Kemosabe Records which she signed when she was 18. She was denied the injunction and has since released three more albums under the label. Her fifth and final album under the labels, Gag Order, was released in May 2023. Her lawsuit was set to go to trial in July 2023, but a settlement was reached a month before the trial date, thus ending the near decade long suit.[2] In December 2023, it was officially reported that Kesha had parted ways with both RCA and Kemosabe, as well as her management team, Vector Management. "In need of a fresh start in my life, we have parted ways, but I will remain forever grateful for the run we had," Kesha said in a statement to Variety.[3] She signed with a new management team, Crush Music in late February 2024.[4] In an interview with V Magazine, Kesha had hinted about music saying there is a day marked when she is free to release music.[5]

Kesha's independent record label, Kesha Records, entered a distribution deal with Alternative Distribution Alliance, owned by Warner Music Group, in September 2024.[6]

In her 2025 Paper interview, Kesha stated this is the first album she truly felt "free" both creatively and legally. "I'm really trying to embody freedom in every way possible. I'm trying to allow myself to feel what freedom feels like, because it's been almost 20 years for me."[1] She stated her goal for this album was to "create a safe space for people to feel fully embodied and liberated. That's what this album stands for, that's what [she's] going through personally."

Composition

[edit]

The album contains a total of 11 tracks. The opening number, "Freedom" is described as a "wistful meditation" that transitions into a house dance track that runs about six minutes.[1] The lead single, "Joyride" is a blend of electropop,[7] dance-pop,[8] synth-pop,[9] EDM[10] and polka.[11] The song has hyperpop[12] and polka[7] influences utilizing accordions, heavy synths, and modulated vocals.

The third track, "Yippee-Ki-Yay", is a country-pop number, that drew comparisons to Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)". The single version features American rapper, T-Pain. "Delusional" is an "emotionally charged" pop[13] power ballad, showcasing Kesha's vulnerability.[14][15] Lyrically, the song sees the singer confronting an ex who seems unable to face up to reality.[16]

Promotion

[edit]

On March 6, 2024, a video titled "Kesha is waiting for you" was posted on her YouTube which contained a snippet of a new song.[17] In 2024, Kesha held her first TED Talk, speaking about songwriting and how it impacted her life. There, she debuted the closing track of the album, "Cathedral".[18] On March 19, 2025, all of Kesha's album covers were changed to have a large pink circle covering them on streaming platforms.[19] The album's title, stylized with the punctuation mark, cover art, and track list was unveiled on March 27, 2025, the same day her single "Yippee-Ki-Yay", was released.[20] The dot ended up being the album's logo and will be released on July 4, 2025, exactly a year after her lead single was released.

To promote the album, she will embark on the Tits Out Tour, along with pop-rock band, Scissor Sisters, on July 1, 2025. Slayyyter and Rose Gray will serve as the opening acts.[1]

Singles

[edit]

On June 29, 2024, Kesha announced the lead single, "Joyride", which was released on July 4, 2024. This marked her first release after parting ways with Kemosabe and RCA Records.[21] "Joyride" became her first song to chart on the UK Singles Chart since 2017, while also reaching the top-ten on three component charts in the United States, and has accumulated over 100 million streams on Spotify.[22]

On November 29, 2024, she released the second single from the album "Delusional".[23][24] On March 24, 2025, Kesha announced the third single, "Yippee-Ki-Yay", a country pop track, featuring rapper T-Pain, released on March 27.[25][26] The song was released with the pre-order for the album.

Track listing

[edit]

Tracklisting adapted from Apple Music.[20]

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Freedom"
 
2."Joyride"
Zhone2:30
3."Yippee-Ki-Yay"
  • Sebert
  • Brittany "Chi" Coney
  • Denisia "Blu June" Andrews
  • Kyle Buckley
Nova Wav2:38
4."Delusional"
  • Sebert
  • Love
  • Hickey
Zhone3:34
5."Red Flag"   
6."Love Forever"   
7."The One"   
8."Boy Crazy"   
9."Glow"   
10."Too Hard"   
11."Cathedral"
Rissi 

Release history

[edit]
Period release history
Region Date Format(s) Labels Ref.
Various July 4, 2025
Kesha [27]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Kesha, the Barefoot Baddie From Tennessee". Paper. April 3, 2025.
  2. ^ Cullins, Ashley (June 22, 2023). "Kesha and Dr. Luke Settle Legal Battle Ahead of Trial". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  3. ^ Aswad, Jem (December 18, 2023). "Kesha Parts Ways With Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Label, RCA Records and Vector Management". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 810134503. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  4. ^ Havens, Lyndsey (2024-02-07). "Kesha Signs With Crush Management". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  5. ^ Hart, Lily (July 3, 2024). "Kesha to Release New Single 'JOYRIDE' on July 4". Glitter.
  6. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (September 23, 2024). "Kesha Enters Independent Era With Launch of Kesha Records, Plots New Album for 2025". Variety. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Guy, Zoe (July 4, 2024). "Kesha Releases Her First Independent Single". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  8. ^ O'Sullivan, Heather (July 4, 2024). "Kesha releases first single as an independent artist 'Joyride'". Hot Press. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  9. ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (July 4, 2024). "Listen to Kesha's playful first single as an independent artist: 'Joyride'". NME. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  10. ^ Dailey, Hannah (July 4, 2024). "Kesha Celebrates an Extra Special Independence Day With New Single 'Joyride': Stream It Now". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  11. ^ "Staff List: The 100 Best Songs of 2024". Billboard. December 5, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  12. ^ Currinn, Jonathan (July 10, 2024). ""Joyride": Kesha Stuns With Awesomely Addicting First Independent Single of Her Career". Good Star Vibes. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  13. ^ Stickler, Jon (November 29, 2024). "Kesha Shares New Single Delusional". Stereoboard. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  14. ^ Bell, Kaelen (November 29, 2024). "Kesha Shares New Song "DELUSIONAL"". Exclaim!.
  15. ^ "Kesha Drops New Single "Delusional" Amid AI Artwork Controversy". Hit Channel. November 29, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  16. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (November 29, 2024). "Listen to Kesha's defiant new single 'Delusional'". NME. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  17. ^ "Kesha is waiting for you..." YouTube. March 6, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  18. ^ Irvin, Jack (July 11, 2024). "Kesha Gets Vulnerable About How Songwriting Helps Her Through Hardship in Her First-Ever TED Talk". People. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  19. ^ Allen, Joseph (March 24, 2025). "Kesha's Albums All Have Pink Circles on Them as Part of Promotion for Her New One". Distractify. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  20. ^ a b ". by Kesha on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  21. ^ Legaspi, Althea (June 29, 2024). "Kesha Teases 'Joy Ride,' Which Arrives on Independence Day". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  22. ^ "Kesha – Spotify Top Songs". Kworb. February 2, 2025. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  23. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (November 29, 2024). "Listen to Kesha's defiant new single 'Delusional'". NME. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  24. ^ Bell, Kaelen (November 29, 2024). "Kesha Shares New Song "Delusional"". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  25. ^ Irvin, Jack (March 24, 2025). "Kesha Declares Her Upcoming Album Marks the 'First Time That I Have No One's Claws in My Back' (Exclusive)". People. Archived from the original on March 24, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  26. ^ Breihan, Tom (March 27, 2025). "Kesha Announces New Album . (PERIOD), Shares T-Pain Collab "Yippee-Ki-Yay"". Stereogum.
  27. ^ "Kesha Official Online Store". Kesha Store. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Period_(Kesha_album)&oldid=1284534968"