Kesha’s new album Rainbow is out Friday (Aug. 11) and the singer has already demonstrated it is very much from her heart with songs like Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit “Praying” and “Woman.”
Now, in a new exclusive video for Billboard, the singer explains that the new record is especially personal because she was able to explore the sounds that mean a lot to her as an artist.
While Kesha’s first two records felt like sonic representations of nightlife and wild parties with their iconic dance anthems, she says that on Rainbow she found the confidence to make music drawn from her true influences — classic rock and country artists.
In the new video she says, “I always liked my music before, but it never sounded sonically like the music I listen to.” This time around, though, the pop star truly went for it and sought inspiration from artists like T. Rex and Dolly Parton, with the latter featured on the record.
Watch the video above and listen to a playlist curated by Kesha below, filled with artists who inspired her and influenced Rainbow.
The Beatles – “Yellow Submarine”
The Beach Boys – “God Only Knows”
Iggy Pop – “Nightclubbing”
T. Rex – “Cosmic Dancer”
The Rolling Stones – “The Last Time”
Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash – “Girl From the North Country”
Dolly Parton – “Just Because I’m a Woman”
Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire”
Waylon Jennings – “I’m a Ramblin’ Man”
The Beach Boys – “Vegetables”
Bob Dylan – “I Shall Be Released”
Dolly Parton – “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You”