Rainbow (Kesha album)
Rainbow is the third studio album by American singer and songwriter Kesha. It was released on August 11, 2017, by Kemosabe and RCA Records. Primarily a pop record, Rainbow incorporates elements of pop rock, glam rock, neo soul, and country pop. Its lyrical themes range from letting go of the past, finding forgiveness within oneself for past mistakes, self-worth, and female empowerment.[2] Kesha assumed an integral role in the album's production and collaborated with several producers, including Ricky Reed, Drew Pearson, Ben Folds, and her mother Pebe Sebert.
Rainbow
August 11, 2017
2014–2017
- Elysian Park (Los Angeles, CA)
- Hit Factory Criteria (Miami, FL)
- House of Blues Studios (Nashville, TN)
- MV Bliss (Antibes, France)
- NRG Studios (North Hollywood, CA)
- Purple Dinosour Studios
- Scotch Cornet Studios (Glendale, CA)
- Sound Emporium Studios (Nashville, TN)
- Southern Ground (Nashville, TN)
- The Green Building (Santa Monica, CA)
- The Village Studios (Los Angeles, CA)
- Westlake Studios, Park (Los Angeles, CA)
48:36
- Kesha
- Brody Brown
- Rogét Chahayed
- Stuart Crichton
- Ben Folds
- Ryan Lewis
- Nate Mercereau
- Rick Nowels
- Drew Pearson
- Jonny Price
- Ricky Reed
- Pebe Sebert
Following the release of her second studio album, Warrior (2012), Kesha dealt with several struggles in her personal and professional life, including a stint in a treatment center for an eating disorder and emotional issues, as well as a highly publicized legal battle with her former record producer Dr. Luke, whom she accused of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Kesha began writing material for her next album while in rehab in 2014 and as her recording contract at the time obliged her to work with Dr. Luke, she later recorded a series of new songs on her own and gave them to her record label. In 2016, it was confirmed that work had officially commenced on Kesha's third studio album, with Sony Music Entertainment assuring Kesha she would be able to produce a new album without having to work with Dr. Luke, the founder of Kemosabe Records. "Praying" was released as the lead single from Rainbow in July 2017, going on to be certified platinum in several countries worldwide. "Woman" was released as the second single from the album thereafter, seeing moderate commercial success worldwide.[3]
Rainbow marks a noticeable departure from the electropop sound of Kesha's first two studio albums. She co-wrote all but one track on the album, and said that she wanted her new music to reflect that she is a "real person having a complete human experience," stating that there was no balance in her previous work.[4] Kesha stated that the album was inspired by several of her musical influences, including Iggy Pop, T. Rex, Dolly Parton, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, James Brown, and Sweet. The album also features collaborations and guest appearances by Parton, Eagles of Death Metal, and the Dap-Kings Horns.
Rainbow debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States with 117,000 album-equivalent units and was the subject of "universal acclaim" from music critics, with several complimenting the feminist angle and uniqueness of the record as well as Kesha's vocal performance and ability to interweave different genres of music on the album. The album has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, marking Kesha's first Grammy nomination. Kesha promoted the album through television and music festival performances and embarked on both the Rainbow Tour (2017–2019) and the Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore (2018), with American rapper Macklemore.
Composition[edit]
Kesha has said that Rainbow was inspired by her "true" musical influences: Iggy Pop, T. Rex, Dolly Parton, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, James Brown, and Sweet.[16] The album contains a combination of both mellow songs and upbeat songs such as "Bastards" and "Woman", respectively. The album opens with the country-infused cut "Bastards", which, as Katie Baillie of Metro analyzed, is "about not letting the bullies drag you down." "Woman" was inspired by a "pussy grabbing comment" Donald Trump made, which angered Kesha and made her yell "I'm a motherfucking woman!" This line is included throughout the song. Kesha wrote the title track on a toy keyboard while in rehab. It opens only with vocals and basic chords played on a piano.[2] The first line Kesha sings is, "Got back the stars in my eyes, I see the magic inside of me." Baillie writes that the track "builds in both sound and emotion [...] as a full live orchestra kicks in." Kesha was inspired to write "Learn to Let Go" by one of her friends who went through "the worst childhood imaginable." The track is also based on Kesha's struggles while making Rainbow.[2]
Artwork[edit]
The album cover and artwork was created by artist Robert Beatty. Kesha had requested for Beatty's help based on his artwork for Tame Impala and the Flaming Lips.[17] Beatty worked with photographer Olivia Bee and art director Brian Roettinger.[18] The cover itself features psychedelic imagery that is a trademark of Beatty's work.[18]
Promotion[edit]
Kesha performed in Japan at the Summer Sonic Festival on two dates: August 19 in Osaka and August 20, 2017, in Tokyo.[19] Following this, Kesha staged a solo concert in Nagoya on August 21.[20] In September, Kesha performed at the KAABOO and iHeartRadio festivals.[21] Kesha was also a performer at the MTV Europe Music Awards on November 12.[22] Kesha, alongside many other popular female singers, performed "Praying" at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018.
Kesha embarked on the Rainbow Tour, which began in Birmingham on September 26, 2017. She also went on a co-headlining tour with American rapper Macklemore named the Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore (2018). The tour took place in 30 cities in North America during the summer of 2018.
Singles[edit]
The album's lead single, "Praying" was released on July 6, 2017, with the album's pre-order. The track was announced a day prior to the song's release and was co-written by Ryan Lewis. The song deals with Kesha's past suicidal thoughts and is suggested by reviewers that it is about Dr. Luke, although he is not named in the song. The song impacted US radio on July 18, 2017.[23]
"Woman" was released as the album's first promotional single on July 13, 2017. The song was released as the second and final single from the album, when it officially impacted US adult contemporary radio on January 22, 2018, and contemporary hit radio on January 23, 2018.[3]
"Learn to Let Go" was released as the album's second promotional single on July 28, 2017. "Hymn" was released as the album's third promotional single on August 3, 2017, and was the only song out of the previous three releases to not have an accompanying music video out at that time. The official music video for the song was released months later on May 31, 2018. The song went on to chart in Scotland and New Zealand (on the Heatseekers Chart), at 88 and 6, respectively.[24][25]
Commercial performance[edit]
In the United States, Rainbow debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 117,000 album-equivalent units, which consisted of 90,000 pure album sales. It became her second number-one album in the country after Animal (2010).[54] On December 14, 2017, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting sales of 500,000 units.[55] The album's lead single "Praying" has also been certified platinum in several countries worldwide.[56] The record opened atop the Canadian Albums Chart with 10,000 album-equivalent units earned and 7,000 copies sold.
The album debuted at number four on the UK Albums Chart[57] with 9,770 copies sold.[58] The album fell to number 33 the following week, and then to number 66 in its third week, its final week inside the top 100.[57]
Awards and nominations[edit]
Kesha received two nominations at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018, including Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Praying".[59] These are Kesha's first set of Grammy nominations.
Notes
Film[edit]
A music documentary titled Kesha: Rainbow – The Film, produced by Apple Music and Magic Seed Productions, was announced on July 30, 2018. The 31-minute documentary features 8 songs from the album and chronicles Kesha's recording process up to her performance at the 2018 Grammy Awards.[95] The Metrograph in New York City hosted three screenings on August 3, 2018, and the film became available on demand for Apple Music subscribers on August 10, 2018. The film won Best Online Music Film at the 2019 Webby Awards.[96]