Kesha – . (Period): (Kesha Records) 13th Floor Album Review
Famously versatile singer Kesha is soon to release her newest album, . (Period) – the first under her independently owned Kesha Records since her departure from RCA and Kemosabe Records in 2023. It’s both an exclamation and a reclamation of her art – on her terms.
The album opens with FREEDOM – which begins deceptively slowly, utilizing piano chords and haunting harmonies before building to a powerful first verse discussing chakras, alcohol and a myriad of vices. The beat promptly drops, leading into the song’s primary component, which is more like a celebratory chorus. With the mix of different vibes and the key line ‘freedom, I’ve been waiting for ya’ this song undoubtedly sets the stage for an album which is – if nothing else – classic Kesha.
Joyride is also similarly upbeat, with heavy synths and accordion throughout. The first single to be released from Period in 2024, it’s a return of her ‘talk-singing’ style from earlier eras, similar to her song Tik-Tok. If anything on this album is giving Kesha summer, it’s Joyride. Yippee-Ki-Yay is fun, with cowboy references and influences. It’s also the first to have a feature on Period, in the form of rapper T-Pain. The song’s title typically refers to an expression of joy, and it’s definitely that.
Delusional is up next, and while it’s good, it doesn’t quite have the same bite that Joyride did. Co-written by Madison Love, it’s emotionally charged, sarcastic and a little bit vulnerable. Riding on synth mixes and high vocals, despite not being the strongest track – it’s definitely one that many listeners may find relatable. There was also controversy when the single dropped originally, due to the use of AI on the original single cover (it’s since been updated).
Red Flag is another that is relatable in the choice of subject matter. However, the backing instrumentals are almost robotic at points, making it hard to fully understand the lyrics. Lyrically, it’s fairly self-explanatory – exemplifying different ‘red flags’ throughout a relationship at each point in the song, like telling someone they’ll get married at an alarming speed. The chopping and changing into different sounds could be a sonic representation of the indecisive mindset that someone may have in that situation – maybe that’s why this track comes out sounding messy, rather than coherent.
LOVE FOREVER’s sparkly but again more synthetic sounding than the rest of the album. It also doesn’t have much lyrical depth, but it’s one that would be good to something to vibe to on the dancefloor. But then we get The One – which is a much more exciting listen. Having shot recently straight to number 1 on the charts before Period is even officially released, it’s clear that audiences are loving the track. Reminiscent of songs like Rainbow and High Road, it’s an instant pop hit that Kesha uses to discuss overcoming trials in order to find herself again.
Boy Crazy is one of the only singles that has an accompanying music video, full of steamy, eye-catching visuals. It’s very tongue-in-cheek, full of double entendres, and extremely hyper-pop. It’s one of those songs that could easily become an anthem for nights out. It’s possibly one of the tunes that sounds the most like Kesha on the album. On Glow, Kesha explores the ideas of reinventing herself again, similarly to on The One. The obvious repetition of this theme is a strong reinforcer to remind listeners of her rediscovered authenticity, as an artist, producer and woman.
Too Hard again echoes the hyper-pop, glittery vibe of earlier tracks like LOVE FOREVER. A dominant aspect of this album appears to be the glittery, at times overstated instrumentals – the dominance of multiple layers again results in a bit of a crowded effect when listening.
Cathedral, the album’s closer, had perhaps the most dramatic rollout of a single yet in her whole discography. Kesha had her TED talk debut in early 2024, titled The Alchemy of Pop. As the talk ended, she played Cathedral for the first time live to the audience – and in both the live and studio versions, it’s a moving and emotional track. Describing the song in the talk as her first experience sharing a new song since ‘owning her voice as an adult woman.’ Traversing themes of redemption, hardship, rebuilding and the birth of new beginnings, making this song Period‘s finisher was perhaps the perfect choice – it’s the album’s strongest moment.
While . (Period) isn’t the strongest record in Kesha‘s discography, the fact that it is her first in years independently cannot be understated. Longtime fans and new fans will undoubtedly flock to the album in support, and it would be well deserved – even if not every song hits the mark.
Chantal Janice
KESHA – . (PERIOD) (Kesha Records) Release Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
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