Finally getting to sit down and listen. Currently on Love Forever! 

I'm complete obsessed with the concept of only drinking when you're happy and being drunk right now.

1 hour ago, Clearblue said:

The tracklisting is delicious.

I actually feel so sorry for people who don't like Yippee-Ki-Yay.

a BOP!

The switch in the middle of FREEDOM, I gagged

2 hours ago, Vixen Eyes said:

for Joyride, id have to take another listen cos i didnt notice anything new about it?

and YKY, what do you mean by collab version? like do you mean that she should have included it rather than the solo version?

Joyride may just have sounded different because I was playing it aloud instead of via headphones. 
 

As for YKY, apparently the album is uploaded twice—one with the solo and one with the collab. The one on her page has the solo version, but I was listening via the one on the New Releases page which has the collab version.  

Cathedral is such a great song but it sounds like it belongs to Gag Order, it kinda feels out of place here

Edited July 4, 20251 yr by Burqa

This being one of me fav 2025 album

she ate that

 

3 hours ago, CroNich said:

My review:

 

Listening to the album through for a third time, its hard to ignore the fact that this is a really, really strong pop album. If I wasn't necessarily a fan of Kesha but enjoyed pop music, objectively speaking its a really good album, aside from a couple of duds (Delusional and the second half of Freedom). My main criticism of the album when I first heard it, is that overall it feels very safe. As I mentioned, this album really shines if you are just looking at it from a pop music perspective, and I do think she has effectively sprinkled a lot of the tone, mannerisms and language that has made her sound unique, dating back to Animal days. I think this particularly rings true on Joyride, Boy Crazy and Red Flag, all of which give quintessential Kesha while still being fresh and current, and something we haven't heard before. I am/was a bit disappointed that a lot of the other tracks feel a lot more generic. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a place on the album for songs like Love Forever and Too Hard, even The One (which isn't by any means a sound that I resonate with that much but still works as a cute album track). I think my main gripe is that these more generic bops aren't balanced out by more hard-hitting, experimental or genre-bending songs that she is also known for, and thus creates a listening experience that almost feels a bit hollow and half-baked.

 

Given that this is her first record as a free, independent artist, I thought we would get a few more songs that reference that journey she has been on to get here, the highs, the lows etc. Obviously Gag Order was extremely personal and raw, and I understand that her intention for this record may have been to keep it very light and consumable, but as a follow up to Gag Order and the expectations that that album set, I do just feel a little underwhelmed that she wasn't able to bring in that sound and song-writing elements into this album a bit more. I think adding a few more songs that played with a bit heavier content or more range in genres/sounds would have really elevated this album and made it sound like a more fully realised body of work. Individual song ratings:

 

Freedom - 6/10 

The intro is so hauntingly beautiful and offers a nice transition from Gag Order into . The transition into the song itself is a little jarring but I love how groovy the song is and that the chorus was recorded to emulate a celebration or party. It loses points from me after the second chorus, the rest of the song is basically just lines from the first verse recycled and cut together which make its sound messy and lazy.

 

Joyride - 10/10

There's not too much more to say about Joyride. It really is such a fun, exciting and interesting pop song that feels very Kesha but in a way we have never heard it before.

 

Yippee Ki Yay - 6/10

Now when I actually listen to this song, I can't deny how fun and catchy it is, but it utilises that country-pop sound that has been charting releasing and it just feels like Kesha's attempt to release something that would be enjoyed by the masses (straight people) and could be radio friendly. There is nothing offensive about this song but its just not a sound I really click with these days.

 

Delusional - 4/10

Oh Delusional... I hated you when I first heard Kesha tease the snippet on Instagram live and I still hate you now. I don't really know what it is but I just find the song melodically and lyrically so uninteresting and dated. It feels like a clear call-back to her Warrior era, which I am here, but unlike the other songs on this album I think it fails at sounding like something new, modern and quintessentially Kesha.

 

Red Flag - 9/10

Now this is how you do a call-back to Animal/Warrior. The song is fun, insanely catchy but also feels current and well produced. I love the little hints to the hyperpop sound in the first pre-chorus and the bridge really feels like classic Kesha in a way thats so nostalgic but still actually makes sense in the context of the song. I really think this song is her best chance at getting another hit this era. Its radio friendly, easy to digest and is just asking to blow up on Tik Tok.

 

Love Forever - 7/10

I've always wanted Kesha to explore a disco/funk style so this was a real treat to hear. I love the almost Daft Punkness of the production, and the verses are well written. The highlight of the song is the pre-choruses, especially the second pre-chorus. Where this song kind of loses me is during the chorus's. Melodically their a bit uninspiring and lyrically feel quite lazy.

 

The One - 7/10

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this track, and I think it successfully achieves what it set out to do. Unfortunately this sort of millennial, "I am lion, hear me roar" vibe is not something I really enjoy listening to or connect with musically.

 

Boy Crazy - 10/10 

Instant smash. Don't really have much to say. I looove the production, all the layers and vocal editing in this song. This really should've been the song of the summer but as we know the GP have **** taste. I would've loved like 2-3 more Boy Crazy type songs on the album.

 

Glow - 8/10

I feel like this song is going to be more controversial because its heavily edited and the format is a bit strange but it really is just a fun, catchy, current sounding bop. I think this is one of the funnest songs lyrically and I personally love the production. My only complaint is that the demo that made its rounds last year was much better.

 

Too Hard - 8/10

I love this style of pop music. Its very airy and summery and chill. I was a little underwhelmed by the chorus at first, its a little bit repetitive, and I kind of put it in the same category as Love Forever however this track grew on me a lot more than Love Forever and has actually become  one of my favourites on the album. I really good see this being a cute sleeper hit towards the end of summer/start of Fall.

 

Cathedral - 7/10

I actually like this a lot more than I thought I would. When I first heard her perform it I was not super impressed. Lyrically, I think its more akin to Rainbow and Shadow, when she has shown she can deliver more interesting and captivating lyrics (as seen on Gag Order). The final version and production really elevates the song though. Lyrically I still feel like its a bit juvenile, however the production and vocal editing is stellar, and I think its a decent album closer, but not my favourite

 

Overall: While I did have some initial disappointment with this record when I first heard it (coming from Gag Order which was my favourite album by her), as time has gone on everything has sort of clicked for me. If her intention was to release a fun, care-free, pop record than she well and truly succeeded. As mentioned I just wish there was a little more depth to the album in terms of the lyrical content, genres explored and story-telling. Overall 8/10.
 

 

 

 

 

I get your point about balancing fun with serious. 
 

But this was a pretty large criticism of High Road. With Rainbow, there was heavy and fun but the fun was never too fun/pop. 
 

But Kesha likes pop. And High Road tried to do really fun/pop with a mix of heavier tracks, experimental and too quirky and it didn't land. 
 

And of course she had Gag Order as well. 

 

So I think this is just the fun pop album she's wanted to make for years and hasn't had the full chance to do.
 

Rainbow couldn't be that album. Neither could Gag Order. 
 

I'd say there's room for something more like an evolved High Road next time imo. 

Edited July 4, 20251 yr by gloamingtheplain

Animals! Starting my first listen. So excited!

 

Got in with no expectations and it was such a Joyride indeed  fun, carefree record, nice effort.  

I'm on my first listen, I AM SO PROUD 

 

 

Freedom. sounds SO good with headphones on, the production is crazy! It really makes you feel free when you are changing "Freedom I've been waiting for you!" 
 

Red Flag. is a HIT, it's so catchy and modern, it sounds like something the radio would play. I see it trending on tik tok, I LOVE it.

 

Love Forever. SO catchy, love the vocals and the verses. Disco fits her perfectly.  It sounds like something Daft Punk would produce LOVE that.

 

Glow. so damn catchy, love the production, vocals and harmonies. I love the auto tune use on this one, love it. The chorus slaps so hard. 

Too Hard. Her voice sounds so sexy, This pop/disco/retro sound is incredible. 

 

Cathedral. Simply gorgeous, one of my favorite songs from her. The bridge is AMAZING and POWERFUL. Lyrics are beautiful. The closer song is always so good!! 
 

Her first album as independent artist and having sold out shows with 20K+ assistants I am SO happy 

I'm in LOVE with Love Forever, but Miss Attention is missing, where is she? 

my favorites atm/so far from this era:

 

too hard (this is my favorite)

love forever

boy crazy

yippee-ki-ay (the hosed down remix)

joyride (revved up remix)

good girl

attention

red flag

joyride

bop it

 

Edited July 4, 20251 yr by alexaalto

I love a red flag! Aaaah this is everything. Miss K 

'.'

Can't wait to listen for the first time (officially).

 

I hope all songs grow on me. I wasn't too sold on LOVE FOREVER. and GLOW. but everything else I loved! Kesha's talent of dropping good albums is just as strong as ever.

After my first listen, I'd rank her albums like this:

 

Gag Order > Rainbow > Animal + Cannibal > Warrior >>> Period > High Road

 

I enjoyed the album, but I wish the production was more interesting and experimental. Joyride isn't everyone's cup of tea, but that's why I adore the song, it's such a fun and wild ride.

 

Also, Kesha writes songs about anything so easily, and I hope she keeps doing that, instead of the usual love songs everyone does. I could tell her to write a song about gaslighting and it could go viral instantly. I think it would be a smart idea to release some singles to please the HAC crowd that don't necessarily need to be added to her albums (unless one of them randomly smashes  ). The good thing about her being an independent artist is that she can use that to her advantage, while making a more cohesive project (it's not gonna happen lol, but I can dream)

 

Red Flag, Cathedral and The One were the standout tracks for me, outside the singles (I know The One was already released last week, but I waited until today to check it out)

the club penguinesque instrumental in the middle of freedom ohh she's capturing gen z hearts

 

Edited July 4, 20251 yr by Gelato

On my first listen, and I'm loving this album more than I expected! I was underwhelmed by High Road and Gag Order, and wasn't feeling the singles excluding Joyride and Boy Crazy so was nervous going into it...But Freedom, Red Flag, Glow, and Too Hard are excellent! I also found myself enjoying Delusional and The One a lot more in the context of the entire album. Still not feeling Yippee-Ki-Yay, it's a skip for me. This is easily Kesha's best album since Rainbow.

I can't wait to listen tomorrow!

glow chorus is so classic kesha 

alright i'm tuning in for my first listen now, this shift has been not crazy eventful but not fun at all. lol

the way she raps in Freedom reminds me of I Taste Like a Cherry 

this feels like the most fun she's had on an album maybe ever? it's just giving unfiltered joy and I love that for her 

Delusional has grown on me a lot, it sounds way better than I'd remembered and I think it could almost be equated to Hungover or Let Me Go