Kesha releases haunting new single 'Praying' after four years, inspired by her legal battle with Dr. Luke

Kesha, who is caught in legal battles with music producer Dr Luke, is back with new music - ‘Praying’, her first single in four years. This is Kesha’s first solo effort since her 2013 Deconstructed EP, and her first single since ‘True Colors’, her 2016 collaboration with Zedd. The music video for Praying starts off in typical Kesha fashion. [caption id=“attachment_3785865” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Screenshot from ‘Praying’.[/caption] We can see that the singer has retained her quirk and stylistic eccentricities as the very first frame of the video commences with loud colours and eclectic fashion ensembles. There is an immediate shift thereafter, as we are thrown in the deep end of Kesha’s depression and her battle with the demons of her mind (courtesy Dr Luke and his alleged abuse). The visuals on our screen take on a monochromatic tone and a battered Kesha appears on our screen. The background soundtrack is a harrowing monologue by the singer as she asks the tough questions of life. Kesha is seen wondering why she has ‘been abandoned’ if there ‘is a God somewhere out there’. The singer then pens down the defeated and genuinely heartbreaking lyrics ‘I can’t do this anymore, please just let me die’, and one can only imagine the hardships that she has been grappling with over the past few years as her legal battle with the music producer ensues. The video perfectly encapsulates the war within Kesha’s mind that the singer presumably fights day in and day out. [caption id=“attachment_3785879” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Screenshot from ‘Praying’.[/caption] Haunting lyrics and melancholic visuals are juxtaposed against colourful outfits and whacky accessories and the story of Kesha’s struggle and subsequent battle to break free — of shackles by society, of her encounter with Dr Luke, of her depression, of public expectations — is depicted beautifully. With breathtaking vocals that are accompanied by stunning visuals, the video ends on a hopeful note with a resurrected Kesha walking into the ocean as the sun sets. Her silhouette looks strong and solid yet fragile at the same time, giving the impression that the artist is picking herself back up, slowly but surely. In an essay for actor Lena Dunham’s feminist newsletter Lenny Letter, Kesha wrote about her comeback and the many setbacks that she has faced over the years. “I’ve found what I had thought was an unobtainable place of peace. This song is about coming to feel empathy for someone else even if they hurt you or scare you. It’s a song about learning to be proud of the person you are even during low moments when you feel alone. It’s also about hoping everyone, even someone who hurt you, can heal,” wrote Kesha according to an IANS report. ‘Praying’ has been written by Ben Abraham and Ryan Lewis, and the music video has been directed by Jonas Åkerlund. The song will feature in the artist’s upcoming album Rainbow. Watch the music video of Kesha’s song ‘Praying’ here

With inputs from IANS.