Kesha’s Back With A Powerful New Single—And An Album Out Soon

Pop star Kesha, after being involved in a lengthy legal battle with her former producer and current label owner, Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald), has finally dropped an extremely powerful and resonant new song in nearly five years. Aptly called “Praying,” it’s an emotional ballad about winning over adversity with a strong spoken-word intro.

The song is the first track from her upcoming third album, “Rainbow,” set to drop August 11th.

Kesha On Dropping Lawsuit For New Music

According to the Los Angeles Times, the album was released under Kemosabe Records, Dr. Luke’s own imprint that was the focus of all Kesha’s lawsuits these past few years. Kemosabe is an affiliate of Sony Music Entertainment.

Dr. Luke helped bring Kesha to stardom through hits like “Tik Tok,” “Your Love Is My Drug,” and “Die Young.” However, in “Rainbow,” Dr. Luke is notably absent from the credits.

Kesha During MMVA Soundcheck. Photo by Jeff Denberg/Wikimedia Commons

Back in 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit against the producer, alleging that he “sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally” abused her starting when she was 18. Gottwald denied the singers accusations and counter-sued her with defamation and breach of contract.

Kesha then dropped the lawsuit, saying, “I need to get my music out. I have so much to say. This lawsuit is so heavy on my once free spirit, and I can only pray to one day feel that happiness again.”

Kesha Explains The Genesis Of ‘Praying’

The singer also published a letter on Lena Dunham’s Lenny Letter, explaining the birth of her new album and “Praying”:

“I have channeled my feelings of severe hopelessness and depression, I’ve overcome obstacles, and I have found strength in myself even when it felt out of reach. I’ve found what I had thought was an unobtainable place of peace.

“This song is about coming to feel empathy for someone else even if they hurt you or scare you. 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.”

Among Kesha’s collaborators for “Rainbow” is Dolly Parton, in a duet with the singer on Pepe Sebert’s 1980 song “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You.” Sebert also happens to be Kesha’s mom and helped write the song with Ben Folds as co-producer. Producer-songwriter Ricky Reed also contributed to some tracks, as well as members of the Palm Desert rock band Death Metal.

Watch the music video for “Praying” below: