Kesha's 22 new songs: Report describes 'Rainbow,' 'Hunt You Down,' 'Learn To Let It Go,' 'Rose'
UPDATE: Hours after the New York Times Magazine published a profile on Kesha, Dr. Luke’s lawyer released a lengthy statement in response. The release is reprinted below.
“The New York Times Magazine profile piece that ran today unfortunately has many inaccuracies.
This article is part of a continuing coordinated press campaign by Kesha to mislead the public, mischaracterize what has transpired over the last two years, and gain unwarranted sympathy.
Kesha filed a shock and awe complaint of alleged abuse against Luke Gottwald in 2014 — for contract negotiation leverage. It backfired.
She never intended to prove her claims. She has voluntarily withdrawn her California complaint, after having her counterclaims in New York for alleged abuse dismissed.
Nevertheless, she continues to maliciously level false accusations in the press to attack our client.
The reality is that for well over two years, Kesha chose—and it was entirely her choice—not to provide her label with any music.
Kesha was always free to move forward with her music, and an album could have been released long ago had she done so.
She exiled herself.
It was not until months after the denial of her injunction motion – for the first time in June and July 2016–that Kesha started to provide the label with music.
She provided 22 recordings created without any label consultation which were not in compliance with her contract, were in various stages of development, and which Kesha’s own team acknowledged needed work. Then, and for the last several months, the label has been in discussions with Kesha and her team to choose the best music, create additional music, and work on the tracks created.
A&R representatives of both Kemosabe and RCA have provided Kesha with detailed feedback in writing and in person on the tracks she provided to help her further develop the material. Kesha has also agreed with Kemosabe and RCA on a list of producers who will work with her on these tracks, a studio has been reserved for these sessions, and a budget for certain work provided.
The creation of an album is a process, however what has clearly been communicated is that the aim is for a release date as early as possible. It is in the economic best interest of the label and Mr. Gottwald to put out a top selling album, and that takes time. In fact, the label suggested an early release of an advance Kesha track. It was Kesha’s team who rejected this proposal.
Kesha’s claim in the article that she has no ability to earn money outside of touring is completely rebutted by well documented public court records which apparently escaped the article’s attention.
EARLIER: Kesha hasn’t debuted new solo music since her 2012 album Warrior, but in a new interview with the New York Times Magazine, the singer previews the 22 new tracks she wrote and recorded at her own expense.
The tracks include “Hunt You Down,” which the Times describes as a “real country song with banjo and some real country sentiments” featuring lyrics like “If you [expletive] around, I’ll hunt you down,” “Learn To Let It Go,” a reportedly radio-ready track, “Rosé,” about lost love, and “Rainbows,” which Kesha says she wrote in rehab.
About “Rainbows,” Kesha says that she wanted to write a track akin to “something that Brian Wilson would have done on Pet Sounds.” Produced by Ben Folds, the song houses lyrics, “I found a rainbow, rainbow, baby. Trust me, I know life is scary, but just put those colors on, girl, and come and paint the world with me tonight.” On it, she’s backed by an orchestra.
Earlier this year, Kesha and Zedd released a remix of his song “True Colors,” featuring her vocals, and she also shared a video of a small new clip of acoustic music back in February as a thank you to fans.
But she has been kept out of the studio largely due to her ongoing legal battle with super producer Dr. Luke. Kesha put out her first two albums Animal and Warrior with Dr. Luke and his Sony imprint Kemosabe records, but since then Kesha has filed lawsuits against Dr. Luke, claiming he drugged, raped, and emotionally abused her. Dr. Luke has denied these claims in court and on social media, and countersued for defamation.
Kesha also asked that her contract be absorbed by RCA, the label that distributes Kemosabe. In April, most of Kesha’s complaints were dismissed, but she is still involved in the ongoing appeal process.
Kesha’s lawyer Daniel M. Petrocelli has spoken about her new music before, and in August, he told EW in a statement that Kesha had “delivered 28 new songs to the record label. We have conveyed to Sony Music and the label Kesha’s strong desire to release her next album and single as soon as possible.”
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