Period (Kesha album)
{{Infobox album
| name = Period
| type = studio
| artist = Kesha
| cover = Kesha – Period (album cover).png
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2025|07|04}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length =
| label = Kesha
| producer =
| prev_title = Gag Order (Live Acoustic EP from Space)
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Period
| type = studio
| single1 = Joyride
| single1date = July 4, 2024
| single2 = Delusional
| single2date = November 29, 2024
| single3 = Yippee-Ki-Yay
| single3date = March 27, 2025
}}
}}
Period (stylized as the punctuation mark, .) is the upcoming sixth studio album by American singer Kesha. It is scheduled to be released independently through her own label Kesha Records on July 4, 2025. It is the first project since her departure from RCA and Kemosabe Records in December 2023.
Prior to the album's release, three singles were released: "Joyride", "Delusional", and "Yippee-Ki-Yay", which features singer T-Pain on its single version. To further promote the album, Kesha is set to embark on the Tits Out Tour in July 2025.
Background
From 2014–2023, Kesha had been embroiled in a legal battle with her former producer, Dr. Luke. She had originally sued him for sexual assault and battery, then he countersued for defamation. The lawsuit halted Kesha's career for a few years and she had filed a preliminary injunction in 2016 to be released from her contract with RCA Records and Kemosabe Records which she signed when she was 18. She was denied the injunction and has since released three more albums under the label. Her fifth and final album under the labels, Gag Order, was released in May 2023. Her lawsuit was set to go to trial in July 2023, but a settlement was reached a month before the trial date, thus ending the near decade long suit.{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/kesha-dr-luke-settle-legal-battle-1235521879/|title= Kesha and Dr. Luke Settle Legal Battle Ahead of Trial|date=June 22, 2023|first=Ashley|last=Cullins|access-date=March 27, 2025|website=The Hollywood Reporter}}
In December 2023, it was officially reported that Kesha had parted ways with both RCA and Kemosabe, as well as her management team, Vector Management. "In need of a fresh start in my life, we have parted ways, but I will remain forever grateful for the run we had," Kesha said in a statement to Variety.{{cite magazine |last=Aswad |first=Jem |title=Kesha Parts Ways With Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Label, RCA Records and Vector Management |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/kesha-leaves-dr-luke-kemosabe-label-rca-vector-management-1235844218/ |magazine=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=March 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220013611/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/kesha-leaves-dr-luke-kemosabe-label-rca-vector-management-1235844218/ |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |location=United States |issn=0042-2738 |oclc=810134503 |date=December 18, 2023 |url-status=live}} She signed with a new management team, Crush Music in late February 2024.{{Cite magazine |last=Havens |first=Lyndsey |date=2024-02-07 |title=Kesha Signs With Crush Management |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/management/kesha-signs-management-deal-crush-1235601039/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In an interview with V Magazine, Kesha had hinted about music saying there is a day marked when she is free to release music.{{cite web|url= https://glittermagazine.co/2024/07/03/kesha-to-release-new-single-joyride-on-july-4/|title= Kesha to Release New Single 'JOYRIDE' on July 4|date=July 3, 2024|last=Hart|first=Lily|website=Glitter}}
Kesha's independent record label, Kesha Records, entered a distribution deal with Alternative Distribution Alliance, owned by Warner Music Group, in September 2024.{{cite magazine|first=Steven J.|last=Horowitz|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kesha-independent-launch-kesha-records-new-album-1236153506/|title=Kesha Enters Independent Era With Launch of Kesha Records, Plots New Album for 2025|magazine=Variety|date=September 23, 2024|access-date=February 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002192029/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kesha-independent-launch-kesha-records-new-album-1236153506/|archive-date=October 2, 2024|url-status=live}} In her 2025 Paper interview, Kesha stated this is the first album she truly felt "free" both creatively and legally. "I'm really trying to embody freedom in every way possible. I'm trying to allow myself to feel what freedom feels like, because it's been almost 20 years for me." She stated her goal for this album was to "create a safe space for people to feel fully embodied and liberated. That's what this album stands for, that's what [she's] going through personally." While accepting the Visionary Award at The Center annual dinner, Kesha says "[she] wanted to walk into this album cycle being a completely empowered, fully healed, and unbothered cunt".{{cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/kesha-lgbt-center#rebelltitem5|title=Kesha Accepts LGBT Community Center Visionary Award|date=April 11, 2025|accessdate=April 19, 2025|last=Wille|first=Matt|website=Paper}}
Composition
The album contains a total of 11 tracks. The opening number, "Freedom" is described as a "wistful meditation" that transitions into a house dance track that runs about six minutes. The lead single, "Joyride" is a blend of electropop,{{cite web|first=Zoe|last=Guy|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/kesha-joyride-independence.html|title=Kesha Releases Her First Independent Single|work=Vulture|date=July 4, 2024|access-date=April 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706013827/https://www.vulture.com/article/kesha-joyride-independence.html|archive-date=July 6, 2024|url-status=live}} dance-pop,{{cite magazine|first=Heather|last=O'Sullivan|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/kesha-releases-first-single-as-an-independent-artist-joyride-23036217|title=Kesha releases first single as an independent artist 'Joyride'|magazine=Hot Press|date=July 4, 2024|access-date=April 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704153052/https://www.hotpress.com/music/kesha-releases-first-single-as-an-independent-artist-joyride-23036217|archive-date=July 4, 2024|url-status=live}} synth-pop,{{cite web|first=Kyann-Sian|last=Williams|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-kesha-debut-independent-song-joyride-3771070|title=Listen to Kesha's playful first single as an independent artist: 'Joyride'|work=NME|date=July 4, 2024|access-date=April 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704175004/https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-kesha-debut-independent-song-joyride-3771070|archive-date=July 4, 2024|url-status=live}} EDM{{cite magazine|first=Hannah|last=Dailey|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/keshas-new-single-joyride-has-pulled-up-listen-1235724704/|title=Kesha Celebrates an Extra Special Independence Day With New Single 'Joyride': Stream It Now|magazine=Billboard|date=July 4, 2024|access-date=February 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704091750/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/keshas-new-single-joyride-has-pulled-up-listen-1235724704/|archive-date=July 4, 2024|url-status=live}} and polka.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-songs-2024/kesha-joyride/|title=Staff List: The 100 Best Songs of 2024|magazine=Billboard|date=December 5, 2024|access-date=April 3, 2025}} The song has hyperpop{{cite web|first=Jonathan|last=Currinn|url=https://goodstarvibes.com/joyride-kesha-first-independent-single-career/|title="Joyride": Kesha Stuns With Awesomely Addicting First Independent Single of Her Career|website=Good Star Vibes|date=July 10, 2024|access-date=April 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710141012/https://goodstarvibes.com/joyride-kesha-first-independent-single-career/|archive-date=July 10, 2024|url-status=live}} and polka influences utilizing accordions, heavy synths, and modulated vocals.
The third track, "Yippee-Ki-Yay", is a country-pop number, that drew comparisons to Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)". The single version features American rapper, T-Pain. "Delusional" is an "emotionally charged" pop{{cite web|url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/245956/9|title=Kesha Shares New Single Delusional|date=November 29, 2024|accessdate=April 3, 2025|website=Stereoboard|last=Stickler|first=Jon}} power ballad, showcasing Kesha's vulnerability.{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kesha-shares-new-song-delusional|title=Kesha Shares New Song "DELUSIONAL"|date=November 29, 2024|last=Bell|first=Kaelen|website=Exclaim!}}{{cite web|url=https://hit-channel.com/kesha-delusional-ai-artwork-controversy/?amp=1|title=Kesha Drops New Single "Delusional" Amid AI Artwork Controversy|date=November 29, 2024|accessdate=April 3, 2025|website=Hit Channel}} Lyrically, the song sees the singer confronting an ex who seems unable to face up to reality.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-kesha-defiant-new-single-delusional-3817196|title=Listen to Kesha's defiant new single 'Delusional'|last=Dunworth|first=Liberty|date=November 29, 2024|accessdate=April 3, 2025|website=NME}}
Promotion
On March 6, 2024, a video titled "Kesha is waiting for you" was posted on her YouTube which contained a snippet of a new song.{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=dn0LehdtbIg&si=2UJORVLNSfSujpMG|title=Kesha is waiting for you...|website=YouTube|date=March 6, 2024|accessdate=April 3, 2025}} In 2024, Kesha held her first TED Talk, speaking about songwriting and how it impacted her life. There, she debuted the closing track of the album, "Cathedral".{{cite web|url=https://people.com/kesha-the-alchemy-of-pop-music-songwriting-first-ted-talk-8676277|website=People|accessdate=April 3, 2025|date=July 11, 2024|last=Irvin|first=Jack|title=Kesha Gets Vulnerable About How Songwriting Helps Her Through Hardship in Her First-Ever TED Talk}} On March 19, 2025, all of Kesha's album covers were changed to have a large pink circle covering them on streaming platforms.{{cite web|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/why-do-keshas-albums-have-a-pink-circle|title=Kesha's Albums All Have Pink Circles on Them as Part of Promotion for Her New One|website=Distractify|date=March 24, 2025|accessdate=March 27, 2025|last=Allen|first=Joseph}} The album's title, stylized with the punctuation mark, cover art, and track list was unveiled on March 27, 2025, the same day her single "Yippee-Ki-Yay", was released.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/1804117398?ls|title=. by Kesha on Apple Music|website=Apple Music|accessdate=April 4, 2025}} The dot ended up being the album's logo and will be released on July 4, 2025, exactly a year after her lead single was released.
To promote the album, she will embark on the Tits Out Tour, along with pop-rock band, Scissor Sisters, on July 1, 2025. Slayyyter and Rose Gray will serve as the opening acts.{{cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/kesha-period-cover#rebelltitem12|work=Paper|date=April 3, 2025|title=Kesha, the Barefoot Baddie From Tennessee}}
=Singles=
On June 29, 2024, Kesha announced the lead single, "Joyride", which was released on July 4, 2024. This marked her first release after parting ways with Kemosabe and RCA Records.{{cite magazine|first=Althea|last=Legaspi|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kesha-teases-joy-ride-song-1235050370/|title=Kesha Teases 'Joy Ride,' Which Arrives on Independence Day|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 29, 2024|access-date=February 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704065131/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kesha-teases-joy-ride-song-1235050370/|archive-date=July 4, 2024|url-status=live}} "Joyride" became her first song to chart on the UK Singles Chart since 2017, while also reaching the top-ten on three component charts in the United States, and has accumulated over 100 million streams on Spotify.{{cite web|url=https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/6LqNN22kT3074XbTVUrhzX_songs.html|title=Kesha – Spotify Top Songs|website=Kworb|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117223728/https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/6LqNN22kT3074XbTVUrhzX_songs.html|archive-date=January 17, 2025|url-status=live}} The song impacted contemporary hit radio on August 30, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://headlineplanet.com/home/2024/08/20/lady-gaga-bruno-mars-die-with-a-smile-also-earns-most-added-honor-at-pop-radio/|title=Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars' 'Die With A Smile' Also Earns Most Added Honor At Pop Radio|website=Headline Pop|first=Brian|last=Cantor|date=August 20, 2024|access-date=April 19, 2025}}
On November 29, 2024, she released the second single from the album "Delusional".{{cite web|first=Liberty|last=Dunworth|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-kesha-defiant-new-single-delusional-3817196|title=Listen to Kesha's defiant new single 'Delusional' |work=NME|date=November 29, 2024|access-date=February 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202221533/https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-kesha-defiant-new-single-delusional-3817196|archive-date=December 2, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Kaelen|last=Bell|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kesha-shares-new-song-delusional|title=Kesha Shares New Song "Delusional"|work=Exclaim!|date=November 29, 2024|access-date=February 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203232015/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kesha-shares-new-song-delusional|archive-date=December 3, 2024|url-status=live}} On March 24, 2025, Kesha announced the third single, "Yippee-Ki-Yay", a country pop track, featuring rapper T-Pain, released on March 27.{{cite magazine|first=Jack|last=Irvin|url=https://people.com/kesha-teases-upcoming-sixth-album-exclusive-11702275|title=Kesha Declares Her Upcoming Album Marks the 'First Time That I Have No One's Claws in My Back' (Exclusive)|magazine=People|date=March 24, 2025|access-date=March 25, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324195841/https://people.com/kesha-teases-upcoming-sixth-album-exclusive-11702275|archive-date=March 24, 2025|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2301996/kesha-announces-new-album-period-shares-t-pain-collab-yippee-ki-yay/music/|title=Kesha Announces New Album . (PERIOD), Shares T-Pain Collab “Yippee-Ki-Yay”|website=Stereogum|date=March 27, 2025|last=Breihan|first=Tom}} The song was released with the pre-order for the album. It impacted US radio stations on April 16, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://headlineplanet.com/home/2025/04/15/ariana-grandes-twilight-zone-ranks-as-pop-radios-most-added-song/|date=April 16, 2025|accessdate=April 19, 2025|title=Ariana Grande’s “Twilight Zone” Ranks As Pop Radio’s Most Added Song|website=Headline Pop|first=Brian|last=Candor}}
Track listing
Tracklisting adapted from Apple Music.
{{Track listing
| headline = Standard edition
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Freedom
| writer1 = {{hlist|Kesha Sebert|Jonathan Wilson|Drew Erickson}}
| extra1 = {{hlist|Jonathan Wilson| Drew Erickson}}
| length1 =
| title2 = Joyride
| writer2 = {{hlist|Sebert|Madison Love|Kevin Hickey}}
| extra2 = Zhone
| length2 = 2:30
| title3 = Yippee-Ki-Yay
| writer3 = {{hlist|Sebert|Brittany "Chi" Coney|Denisia "Blu June" Andrews| Kyle Buckley}}
| extra3 = Nova Wav
| length3 = 2:38
| title4 = Delusional
| writer4 = {{hlist|Sebert|Love|Hickey}}
| extra4 = Zhone
| length4 = 3:34
| title5 = Red Flag
| writer5 =
| extra5 =
| length5 =
| title6 = Love Forever
| writer6 =
| extra6 =
| length6 =
| title7 = The One
| writer7 =
| extra7 =
| length7 =
| title8 = Boy Crazy
| writer8 =
| extra8 =
| length8 =
| title9 = Glow
| writer9 =
| extra9 =
| length9 =
| title10 = Too Hard
| writer10 =
| extra10 =
| length10 =
| title11 = Cathedral
| writer11 = {{hlist|Sebert|Morten Ristrop|Skyler Stonestreet|Xander}}
| extra11 = Rissi
| length11 =
| total_length =
}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Period release history ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format(s) ! scope="col" | Labels ! scope="col" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| rowspan="2" scope="row" | Various
| July 4, 2025 | {{Hlist|CD|digital download|streaming|vinyl}} | rowspan="2" | Kesha | align="center" |{{cite web|url=https://kesha.store/|title=Kesha Official Online Store|accessdate=April 3, 2025|website=Kesha Store}} |
|---|