Joyride (Kesha song)

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"Joyride"
Single by Kesha
ReleasedJuly 4, 2024 (2024-07-04)
Genre
Length2:30
LabelKesha
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Zhone
Kesha singles chronology
"Only Love Can Save Us Now"
(2023) 		"Joyride"
(2024)

"Joyride" is a song by American singer and songwriter Kesha. It was released on July 4, 2024, by her own self-titled record label as the lead single from her upcoming sixth studio album. An official lyric video was released on the same day. The song marks Kesha's first release since departing from RCA and Kemosabe Records. The single was written by Kesha, Madison Love, and Zhone, who also produced the song.

Background and release

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From 2014–2023, Kesha had been embroiled in a legal battle with her former producer, Dr. Luke. She had originally sued him for sexual assault and battery, then he countersued for defamation. The lawsuit halted Kesha's career for a few years and she had filed a preliminary injunction in 2016 to be released from her contract with RCA Records and Kemosabe Records which she signed when she was 18. She was denied the injunction and has since released three more albums under the label. Her fifth and final album under the labels, Gag Order, was released in May 2023. Her lawsuit was set to go to trial in July 2023, but a settlement was reached a month before the trial date, thus ending the near decade long suit.[1] In December 2023, it was officially reported that Kesha had parted ways with both RCA and Kemosabe, as well as her management team, Vector Management. "In need of a fresh start in my life, we have parted ways, but I will remain forever grateful for the run we had," Kesha said in a statement to Variety.[2] She signed with a new management team, Crush Music in late February 2024.[3] In an interview with V Magazine, Kesha had hinted about music saying there is a day marked when she is free to release music.[4]

Kesha announced the single on June 29, 2024 with a teaser video. She initially teased a lyric, "GET IN LOSER" with a photo on social media teasing the song's title and release date. The singer was seen sporting red vinyl and sheer looks. The single was released by Kesha's self-titled label, Kesha Records published through Warner Chappell Music. The song marks Kesha's first release since departing from RCA and Kemosabe Records, as well as her first release as an independent artist.[5] Kesha unveiled the song four days before its release in Brooklyn at Planet Pride.[4]

Composition

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"Joyride" runs a total of 2 minutes and 30 seconds, and is described as an electropop and EDM track. The song is a "bold" celebration composition with hyperpop and polka influences utilizing accordions, heavy synths, and modulated vocals. The song sees the return of Kesha's "talk-singing" style, reminiscent of her earlier works.[6][7][8][9] Lyrically, Kesha uses metaphors comparing driving cars to self-love and self-empowerment.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash8/10[10]

Zoe Guy of Vulture called the song a "banger" that is perfectly in sync with summer.[6] Tomás Mier of Rolling Stone called the song "delightfully campy" with a taste of a "carefree Kesha summer".[11] Variety echoed Guy's sentiments, describing the song as an "electro-banger" perfectly timed for the summer, as well as a callback to her earlier hits such as "Tik Tok" and "We R Who We R".[12]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Joyride"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] 17

Release history

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"Joyride" release history
Region Date Formats Label Ref.
Various July 4, 2024
Kesha Records [14]

References

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  1. ^ Cullins, Ashley (June 22, 2023). "Kesha and Dr. Luke Settle Legal Battle Ahead of Trial". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Aswad, Jem (December 18, 2023). "Kesha Parts Ways With Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Label, RCA Records and Vector Management". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 810134503. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Havens, Lyndsey (February 7, 2024). "Kesha Signs With Crush Management". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Hart, Lily (July 3, 2024). "Kesha to Release New Single 'JOYRIDE' on July 4". Glitter.
  5. ^ Legaspi, Althea (June 29, 2024). "Kesha Teases 'Joy Ride,' Which Arrives on Independence Day". Rolling Stone.
  6. ^ a b Guy, Zoe (July 4, 2024). "Kesha Releases Her First Independent Single". Vulture.
  7. ^ Santiago Cortés, Michelle (July 4, 2024). "Kesha Declares Her Independence With "Joyride"". Nylon.
  8. ^ Dailey, Hannah (July 4, 2024). "Kesha Celebrates an Extra Special Independence Day With New Single 'Joyride': Stream It Now". Billboard.
  9. ^ Currinn, Jonathan (July 10, 2024). ""JOYRIDE": Kesha Stuns With Awesomely Addicting First Independent Single of Her Career". Good Star Vibes.
  10. ^ Murray, Robin (July 4, 2024). "Kesha - 'Joyride'; Pop Icon Taps Into Her Roots | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Mier, Tomás (July 4, 2024). "Kesha Takes a Pop 'Joyride' as a Free Woman With New Single". Rolling Stone.
  12. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (July 4, 2024). "Kesha Releases 'Joyride,' Her First Independent Single After Parting Ways With Kemosabe and RCA". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  13. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  14. ^ "JOYRIDE by Kesha on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
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