TRACK BY TRACK: Kesha's 'High Road'

Kesha’s newest album High Road has finally dropped!

Growing up listening to Kesha and watching her evolve and grow, she has never ceased to amaze. Going from pop party girl on her albums Animal and Warrior to a more intimate and mature pop sound on Rainbow, Kesha combines both versions of herself in High Road.

The very explicit album combines pop, country, electronica. and R&B to create a beautiful and unique sound that stands out from the pop music we’re used to. Each song has its own style and story that makes it different from the rest, while flowing into each other perfectly.

Let's break it down track-by-track! [Warning: Some NSFW language!]

1. "Tonight"

Kesha starts off the album with a soft piano, similar to the styles used on Rainbow, but the party lyrics stand in a stark contrast and are more similar to those of her earlier works. The song suddenly switches to electropop, also matching her earlier works.

The upbeat, carefree lyrics and rhythm are a great start to the album and the combination of styles sets the tone for the rest of the album.

Favorite Lyrics: "We got it all, if we're alive / If we're breathing, we're still breathing..."

2. "My Own Dance"

Again, we see two versions of Kesha combined.

Kesha uses this song to call out her haters in the most subtle way. She makes it clear that she’s going to continue doing her own thing, no matter what anyone says. They want her to go back to being the “party girl”, but when she was the party girl, they wanted her to “tone it down”. Here she embraces all of herself and gets to be both -- the party girl and the tragedy, as the song says.

The music video is just as fun as the song itself, with Kesha dancing in a pool full of cereal.

Favorite Lyric: "So, the internet called and it wants you back / But could you kinda rap and not be so sad? F**k it..."

3. "Raising Hell" (feat. Big Freedia)

This song is the ultimate party song on the album. It’s upbeat, fun, and carefree. "Raising Hell" combines religious songs with pop, and lyrics about having fun, even if it’s bad.

In an interview, Kesha said the song is about good people doing bad things. Something we see in the music video when Kesha, playing a stereotypical housewife, accidentally kills her husband defending herself from his abuse. 

Favorite Lyrics: "Speakin' in tongues in my blood-red lipstick..."

4. "High Road"

This is definitely one of my favorite songs on the album!

It’s so fun and upbeat, listening to this song is freeing. There are definitely points when you question if Kesha is really taking the high road, like when she says “I'm taking the high road, I’m high as f**k / And these a**holes won't shut up,” but it's clear that she is taking her own high road. She’s moving forward and not letting anyone get her down, even if her high road isn’t what others would see as the high road.

In an interview, Kesha said, “In a sense, I take the high road, but in a sense, I definitely am not taking the high road in that song,” and that’s what makes it so great. 

Favorite Lyrics: "Got me laughing, I ain't losing no sleep..."

5. "Shadow"

This is another one of my favorite songs! It’s so soft and beautiful with another beautiful message about not letting anyone bring you down and just being yourself. 

The song starts with Kesha’s voice before the piano is added. I’m a sucker for string instruments in songs, and "Shadow" doesn’t disappoint. 

Favorite Lyrics: "I’ma love you even though you hate me..."

6. "Honey"

This song stands out the most on the album, and I love it!

The R&B style is so beautiful, the repetitive guitar so soothing, and the background vocals really tie the song together. The song is about a friend’s betrayal, and every word she says cuts deep, down to the pet name "Honey".

Favorite Lyrics: "It was us against the world, you were my girl / I still can't believe you did this to me..."

7. "Cowboy Blues"

This song is a beautiful transition from the previous song, switching to a soft acoustic guitar. Again, the background vocals complete the song. Only Kesha could make two songs so similar but so different. 

The lyrics tell the story of questioning every decision you make, with Kesha questioning if a random boy at a bar could’ve been the love of her life.

Favorite Lyrics: "Did I f**k my whole life up? / Did I miss my one true love?"

8. "Resentment" (feat. Sturgill Simpson, Brian Wilson, and Wrabel)

Another song I love!

I can’t get over the soft hints of country and how beautiful and sweet it is in contrast to the heartbreaking lyrics.

Similar to "High Road" and "Shadow", we see Kesha letting go of someone who has hurt her, but this time it’s much softer. My favorite part about this song is that it feels like it belongs next to "High Road" -- this song feels like the true high road, the true letting go.

Favorite Lyrics: "It's a shame knowing we could be good / That you could treat me better if you really wanted to..."

9. "Little Bit of Love"

This is the perfect song to follow "Resentment". It follows a similar story about a love that ended, but this time she’s not ready to give up -- instead she’s reminiscing on the good times.

It’s energetic and fun in comparison to the previous song, creating the perfect contrast.

Favorite Lyrics: "You only wanna kiss me when I give you sad eyes / You're gonna miss me when I'm gone 'til the afterlife..."

10. "Birthday Suit"

This song is so much fun!

My favorite part of this track is the music sample from the Super Mario Bros. theme song! The provocative lyrics combined with the whimsical music make this song fun, unique, and one that I could hear playing in every club!

Favorite Lyrics: "I like the way you are, I kinda wanna play / You got a game, boy, boy, wanna race me?"

11. "Kinky" (feat. Ke$ha)

This song starts off with a phone call audio before following the provocative lyrics of the previous song. This is another fun song that sounds like it should be playing at every party. The upbeat tune makes it a great song to dance to.

Favorite Lyrics: "You and me got an understanding / Nobody gotta understand it..."

12. "Potato Song (Cuz I Want To)"

This song has, what I would consider, the most interesting opening of the entire album. Like carnival music bumped down a few octaves, giving it a depressive and creepier feel, it fits perfectly with the lyrics, such as “all the psycho voices always yelling at me in my head.”

The beat changes in the pre-chorus and chorus, following the lyrics and becoming more upbeat and carefree. This song is fun and childlike and sends a great message that you can do whatever you want to do.

Favorite Lyrics: "But now I see growing up's a game that I don't wanna play..."

13. "BFF" (feat. Wrabel)

This song has one of my favorite openings ever! It’s so beautiful and magical. 

This song is all about having a best friend, hanging out, and getting to be yourself. It’s the perfect song to share with your bestie! It’s such a happy song, and we get to see how a best friend can help you even through your darkest times.

Favorite Lyrics: "It was a hard time, a really f**kin' dark time / Thank God I found you..."

14. "Father Daughter Dance"

Kesha’s vocals are so powerful and strong from the beginning of this song. The combination of strings and piano are so beautiful together.

Kesha somehow makes this song sad, beautiful, and powerful all at once. 

The song is perfect for anyone who grew up without a paternal figure. We see all of the effects Kesha faced without having a father in her life, we hear all of her doubts and her fears.

Favorite Lyrics: "Oh, I wish my heart wasn't broken from the start / I never really stood a fightin' chance..."

15. "Chasing Thunder"

"Chasing Thunder" is another soft and beautiful song with a hint of country.

This track is the perfect road trip jam. It reminds me of driving through the countryside, laughing with friends. The lyrics and the music match so perfectly, so carefree and empowering.

Favorite Lyrics: "Baby, I'm not a rose, I'm a wildflower / Out of all of them, you chose one who'll run free forever / Doesn't mean I'm lost, I just like to wander..."

16. "Summer"

This song is the perfect ending to the album!

The album follows a steady path through different emotions and ends with a combination of it all.

This song is about being happy, reminiscing, being in love, and partying. What more do you need?!

Favorite Lyrics: "I could really use one of those nights 'til the sunrise / On that high life, when nobody could bring us down..."