News : Listen to Kesha’s playful first single as an independent artist: ‘JOYRIDE’

Kesha has shared the energetic ‘Joy Ride’ – her first release as an independent artist since parting ways with Dr. Luke.

The song was released today, which is Independence Day in the US (July 4). ‘Joy Ride’ is a departure from the more experimental nature of ‘Gag Order’ – her fifth album that veered closer to arthouse. However, Kesha’s latest single is a callback to her earlier synth-pop sound found on her hits ‘Tik ToK’ and ‘We R Who We R’.

‘JOYRIDE’ is a feisty anthem where Kesha embraces their inner “bitch“, and unapologetically demands a thrilling night with sass and attitude. The Zhone-produced song is laced with quotable lyrics such as “You want kids? Well I am mother” and “Get in, loser, for the joyride” – the last being a reference to the 2004 cult classic Mean Girls.

Last weekend, the ‘TiK ToK’ singer posted a brief video to Instagram posing in different red ensembles. At first, she modelled on a car and rode in a convertible while showing a middle finger to the camera, before she donned a red cowboy hat and held up a handwritten cardboard sign emblazoned with “Joy Ride”.

The pop star also shared the cover art for the single, which features her sitting on the hood of a car in red mesh leggings and glossy boots.,

The single will be her first release after departing from RCA and Kemosabe Records last December.

The news came after Kesha and Dr Luke – the founder of Kemosabe Records – settled their defamation lawsuit a month before the case was set to go to trial in June 2023. Also, the split followed the release of the former’s fifth album ‘Gag Order’ – her last contractually obligated LP for Kemosabe – in May.

The LA-born singer initially sued Dr. Luke in 2014, claiming he sexually assaulted and emotionally abused her.

He denied the allegations and countersued Kesha, alleging that she breached her recording contract with him and made her allegations up in an attempt to get out of the deal.

Kesha maintained her original claims against Dr. Luke.

Since leaving Kemosabe Records, Kesha has given several updates on her new music. Recently, she shared a photo of her at Rick Rubin’s home, suggesting that the two are collaborating again after the success of ‘Gag Order’.

Earlier this year, Kesha admitted that she was “ferociously” working on new music and teased another song – a slower, ethereal ballad – in a promotional video for her fan website, keshaiswaitingforyou.com.

Last month, the singer did her first concert as a “free motherfucking woman” at WeHo Pride.