Kesha Will Resurrect Her Messy, 'Glittered-Up' Self For Upcoming Pop Album — And We Can't Wait

It's been 10 years since Kesha first arrived with "Tik Tok" — a carefree pop banger that quickly took over Top 40 radio. That same enormous pop energy was heard in 2010 hits like "Your Love Is My Drug" and "We R Who We R," among others. Yet in 2017, Kesha dropped Rainbow, an album full of raw deep cuts released in the midst of her grueling legal battle with producer Dr. Luke. The album's lead single, "Praying," became an anthem for abuse survivors everywhere. Yet right after what she called a large purge of emotions," Kesha wants fans to know that she's returning to her pop roots on her next album, due out this December.


"I did the therapy," she told Billboard in a brand new cover story, referring to the heavy emotions that came and also addressing tough topics on Rainbow, from her consuming food disorder to her 2014 civil suit with Dr. Luke, whom she accused of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. With that album beyond her, Kesha's prepared to continue making the pop hits that fans fell in love with her for. "It's the happiness that I started my career with," she mentioned of her upcoming LP. Although it feels more earned and healthier than ever." It's also a resurrection of sorts. "Part of this album is resurrecting the fact that you could be a fucking disaster in your head one day, and then you could also be glittered-up and have the perfect night of your life," she said.


Despite ongoing legal proceedings, (Kesha dropped bills, however Dr. Luke countersued for over $50 million for defamation and breach of contract), Kesha says she's been "writing the fuck out of some pop songs," and she's hoping that this album will once again solidify her place in pop music. “I dug by way of the emotional wreckage," she mentioned. "I can go back to talking a bit of shit. I really wanted to put a solid footprint back inside pop music, like, 'I can do this, and I can do this on my own.' I don't know if this is my last pop record, nevertheless I want to have one where I go out with a bang."


Of her upcoming LP, Kesha told Billboard, "I got my balls back, and they're bigger than ever." That seems especially true for a pop-rock song that she worked on with Imagine Dragons's Dan Reynolds. Without revealing its title, Kesha revealed that the track is a response to people's perception of her in recent years. She even teased the lyrics: "We get it that you've been through a lot of shit, although life's a bitch, so come and shake your tits and fuck it / You're the party girl, you're the tragedy, although the funny thing is, I'm fucking everything."


That order kind of multidimensionality is what Kesha wants people to understand most, and despite returning to her pop roots, fans should expect a lot of depth from her next release. "Everything goes up and down, and I think it probably will for the rest of my life,” she mentioned. "So you ride the highs, and you also write songs about an awesome night where you go and meet Elton John and get fucked up and lose your phone in the Uber, and some days you write songs about what it could have been like in case you grew up with a father, because you have absolutely no clue. And hopefully, by right now, the world has realized that you could be multidimensional."


Still, her aim is simple. "I wish to inspire joy," she mentioned. "There was a time where it was really dark, and right now I really am so happy, and that's why I'd like to prepare happy songs." Plus, she understands her early pop hits are still fan favorites. Any time I play some of the poppier songs, people lose their shit, and those songs are my babies also And nevertheless she's learned so much about herself keeps it up and continues to stand for so several key causes, she can't underestimate the power of a record that truly pops off. Some days you just wish to escape into a happy motherfucking song. It's like a three-minute vacation, and I'd like to give that to people because I know I need that sometimes."


For more, check out Kesha's full Billboard feature here.