Maps of Music

Rainbow (2017)

Where the lyrics of Rainbow take you, and where it was really made.

Kesha recorded 22 songs on her own during her legal fight with the producer she accused of abuse, and then gave them to her label.

Key places

NRG Studios in the credits (2017)

Recording site NRG Recording Studios (Hollywood) — The album credits list NRG Studios as a recording site for Rainbow. The point is placed at the studio's coordinates in North Hollywood. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Westlake Studios in the credits (2017)

Recording site Westlake Recording Studios — Westlake Studios appears among the recording credits for Rainbow. The point uses the studio's location in Los Angeles. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Sound Emporium in Nashville (2017)

Recording site Sound Emporium Studios — Sound Emporium is credited as a recording site for Rainbow. The point is set at the studio's location in Nashville. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Scotch Corner Studios, Glendale (2017)

Recording site Echo Sound — Scotch Corner Studios is credited as a recording site for Rainbow. The point is set at Glendale city-centre level, not at the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

MV Bliss in Antibes (2017)

Recording site MV Bliss — MV Bliss is credited as a recording site for Rainbow. The point is set at Antibes city-centre level, not at the studio itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

The Green Building in Santa Monica (2017)

Recording site Ruby Red — The Green Building, Santa Monica is credited as a recording site for Rainbow. The point is set at Santa Monica city-centre level. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Rainbow: third studio album by Kesha
• Released 11 August 2017 by Kemosabe and RCA Records
• Mainly a pop record that mixes pop rock, glam rock, neo soul, and country pop
• Lyrics cover letting go of the past, forgiveness for past mistakes, self-worth, and female empowerment
• Kesha played an integral role in production, working with Ricky Reed, Drew Pearson, Ben Folds, and her mother Pebe Sebert
• Packaged as a CD in a digisleeve

Background

• Followed Warrior (2012), a period marked by eating disorder treatment and a publicized legal battle with former producer Dr. Luke
• Began writing for the next album while in rehab in 2014
• Her recording contract at the time required her to work with Dr. Luke, so she recorded new songs on her own and gave them to the label
• Recorded 22 new songs alone during the legal dispute
• Sony Music Entertainment assured her she could make a new album without Dr. Luke, founder of Kemosabe Records, and work then officially began in 2016
• Summer 2016: the Kesha and the Creepies tour, her third world tour

Recording

• Early songs were written at Timberline Knolls, an Illinois treatment center, on a toy keyboard a friend brought in
• After negotiation the staff let her keep the keyboard, since instruments with power cords were not allowed
• The title track was written on that toy keyboard in rehab
• Kesha co-wrote all but one of the original tracks
• Credits list recording sessions at several studios, including NRG Studios, Westlake Studios, Sound Emporium, and Scotch Corner Studios

Cover

• Artwork created by Robert Beatty, whom Kesha asked for help based on his work for Tame Impala and the Flaming Lips
• Beatty worked with photographer Olivia Bee and art director Brian Roettinger
• The cover uses psychedelic imagery typical of Beatty's work

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Kesha Rose Sebert, born March 1, 1987, in Los Angeles; stylized Ke$ha until 2014.
• Signed to music publishing company Prescription Songs in 2005 at age 18.
• Signed with David Sonenberg's DAS Communications in 2006.
• Her 2009 debut single "Tik Tok" came after she signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records.

Career

• Kesha's breakthrough came with "Right Round" (2009) as a featured artist for Flo Rida, though she is uncredited on the US release.
• Her debut album Animal (2010) reached number one on the US Billboard 200; the single "Tik Tok" sold about 14 million copies worldwide.
• Her second album Warrior (2012) was released on November 30, 2012, and its single "Die Young" peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Her third album Rainbow (2017) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
• Her fourth album High Road was released January 31, 2020.
• Her fifth album Gag Order was released May 19, 2023, produced by Rick Rubin.
• Her sixth album Period was released July 4, 2025.
• Kesha's legal dispute with producer Dr. Luke, filed in 2014, was settled out of court in June 2023.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Received widespread acclaim from music critics
• Metacritic average 81 out of 100 from 27 reviews, indicating universal acclaim
• Katie Baillie of Metro called it a powerful, emotional and strongly feminist record worth the four-year wait
• Baillie wrote that it is a roller coaster of emotions
• Andrew Uterberger of Billboard said every song sounds different and the album sets her apart from the electropop sound of her first two albums
• Uterberger praised her vocal power on Praying
• Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone gave four stars out of five and called it the best music of her career
• Spanos named the Dolly Parton cover Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You the album's most powerful moment
• Katherine Flynn of Consequence of Sound said the album feels much more organic than her previous work
• Hilary Weaver of Vanity Fair called it a blatant, angry response to Kesha's legal battle and also a powerful pop album
• Chris Willman of Variety gave a more mixed review, saying the sober material feels clunky

Records

• Debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 117,000 album-equivalent units, including 90,000 pure album sales
• Her second US number one album after Animal (2010)
• RIAA Platinum certification in 2024, denoting 1 million album-equivalent units
• Nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018, her first Grammy nominations
• Also nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance for Praying
• Appeared on several publications' year-end lists for 2017 and decade-end lists

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The title track was written on a toy keyboard during rehab.
• The Woman video is set at Oddity Bar in Delaware and was filmed by Kesha and her brother Lagan Sebert.
• The Hymn video was released in May 2018, months after the single, as the only one of the three promotional singles without a video at that time.
• The 31-minute documentary Kesha: Rainbow - The Film, produced by Apple Music and Magic Seed Productions, won Best Online Music Film at the 2019 Webby Awards.
• Woman was inspired by a comment Donald Trump made, which angered Kesha and led to the line being repeated throughout the song.
• Recording credits list studios in Los Angeles, Nashville, Miami, Antibes, Glendale, and Santa Monica.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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