Entertainment

The Clue You Missed About Kesha's 'Rainbow' Album

by Taylor Ferber
Kesha/Vevo

Already, many are, or may begin to, refer to Kesha's new single "Praying" and upcoming album Rainbow as a comeback. Others would argue she's been here this whole time, even if fans have only gotten to see so much. But the deeply personal message of Rainbow's debut ballad not only proves that Kesha's rising from the ashes, but that she's ready to show the world just what kind of artist and human she is. And while fans eagerly await for Rainbow's debut, a huge sign of what Kesha's Rainbow album title means has been in front of them all along.

Kesha's first single after nearly four years, "Praying," is a drastic, 180 degree turn from the catchy, party-themed songs that made her a household name in pop music. The song, like her new essay in Lenny Letter, addresses her crippling battle with depression, being completely hopeless in life, and gaining the strength to move forward. Although the content of the rest of the album remains a mystery, a simple statement on Kesha's social media perhaps lets fans know the many more layers of the star that the songs will dive into.

Eagle-eyed fans may have noticed that the singer's Twitter bio reads: "i'm a rainbow."

Kesha/Vevo

Those three words suggest that Kesha will show all of her colors through this album, which has a name that she embodies. It'll likely show what makes her complex, beautiful, unique, hopeful, and the real Kesha fans thought they knew, while shining brightly and giving hope.

Other hints from the singer prove she's ready to show her raw, multidimensional traits to the world. "In the past, I've always felt like I was trying to prove something, trying to be someone I thought people wanted me to be," she told Lenny Letter. "But on this record, I'm just telling the truth about my life. This album is me. The most raw and real art I have ever created, and now it's my gift to you."

Plus, in the visually stunning "Praying" video and in Kesha's social media avatars, rainbows adorn nearly each frame. Clearly, Kesha hasn't completely changed from the bold, bright, unicorn-loving star she once was. These elements are still part of her work; they've just grown up with her.

And, as the "Praying" video suggests, this revelation is only the first color of Kesha's rainbow:

Kesha/Vevo

This project, of course, comes after her ongoing, three-year legal battle with producer Dr. Luke (real name Lukasz Gottwald), who Kesha accused of sexual assault while asking to be released from her recording contract. (Gottwald repeatedly denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit, which has recently been dismissed.) The California lawsuit alleging sexual assault has also been dropped, but Kesha's New York case to break her contract remains ongoing. However, Kesha explained to Lenny Letter how the darkest parts of her life also made for the brightest creation of her art. "I dragged myself out of bed and took my emotions to the studio and made art out of them," she said. "In the past couple of years, I have grown into a strong, independent woman."

For that reason, Rainbow is likely to be a therapeutic, uplifting, and eye-opening experience — not only for Kesha, but for her fans.