ATP! Album Review: Kesha - Rainbow

After the past years of hardship, it’s awesome to see Kesha come roaring back with an amazing album, one that lets you see more of who she is behind the party swagger that defined her previous music. Rainbow is a force to be reckoned with, an album filled with anthems, hymns, and, yes, a song about Godzilla. Kesha is still out- there and fabulous, but she’s showing a new side to herself, too. And what a side it is.

First single, “Praying,” provided a beautiful introduction to this, and is still one of the best and most emotional songs on the album. I still can’t listen to it without getting tears in my eyes. “Finding You” and “Learn To Let Go” keep the emotions high, while “Woman” and “Hymn” are powerful anthems ready to be turned into concert sing- alongs. “Woman” also proves that every song is catchier with an epic horns section.


Kesha uses this album to experiment with both her rock and country sides. It wouldn’t be surprising to see her come back with a full album of either. She pulls off both phenomenally well. Two songs here are accompanied by Eagles of Death Metal and there’s a duet with Dolly Parton. “Hunt You Down” and “Boots” bring a bit of the country as well, but they’re both Kesha at her catchiest. Kesha isn’t the party girl you’ve seen on past albums, but she still knows how to have a hell of a good time.

The closing tracks, “Godzilla” and “Spaceship” are a little out there, but both hide a deeper meaning under their slightly wacky exteriors. “Godzilla” talks about being in love with the iconic monster—serving as a sort of metaphor for seeing something in someone that others don’t see. “Spaceship” really talks about death, and Kesha going back to space when she’s gone. It’s fitting, really, that she would want to go to space and the song feels right. It’s actually quite beautiful.

But a review of Rainbow wouldn’t be complete without discussing the title track. It serves as many things—but the greatest being Kesha learning how to love life and music again after everything she’s been through. She gives hope to everyone, saying that no matter what they’ve been through, they’ll find a rainbow too. And that’s what this album represents. Hope, love, and being happy with the person you are.

4/5