Kesha Goes Independent on New Single "Joyride"
Marking the artist’s first release since exiting her contract with Kemosabe Records.
Kesha returned with her first single since fulfilling her contract with Kemosabe Records at the tail end of last year. The track, titled “Joyride,” fittingly celebrated the artist’s newfound liberty with an Independence Day release.
Clocking in at two and a half minutes, the dance track puts an EDM twist on Kesha’s signature pop artistry. “Don’t even try to give me s**t/I’ve earned the right to be like this,” she sings on the summer bop. “Joy ride, joy ride/I’m just looking for a good time tonight.”
Ahead of the single’s debut, Kesha took to New York’s Planet Pride stage to play it for the first time. “Good news: I’m a free motherf**king woman,” she said before performing the song. “And do you know what I want to do? I kinda wanna play my first song in almost 20 f**king years … as a free motherf**king woman.”
The single is Kesha’s first release since her fifth studio album (and final full-length effort on Kemosabe’s roster), Gag Order, in 2023. Kesha released a total of five albums and three EPs with Kemosabe, all the while enduring a 10-year-long lawsuit with her former producer Dr. Luke, which was ultimately settled outside of court. In March, she took to X to write, “First day I’ve owned my voice in 19 years. Welcome.”
Listen to Kesha’s “Joyride” on Spotify and Apple Music below.
