1 of 2 | Kesha arrives on the red carpet at the Billboard Women in Music 2016 event on December 9. Kesha has released a new single titled "Praying" with an accompanying music video. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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July 6 (UPI) -- Kesha has returned to music with her first single since 2013 -- titled Praying from her newly announced album Rainbow.
"If there's a god or whatever, something, somewhere, why have I been abandoned by everyone and everything I've ever known, I've ever loved? Stranded, what is the lesson? What is the point? God, give me a sign or I have to give up. I can't do this anymore. Please just let me die. Being alive hurts too much," the pop star says in the music video for "Praying" that begins with Kesha being stranded in the middle of the ocean.
The accompanying visuals and lyrics seem to hint at Kesha's ongoing legal battle with her producer Dr. Luke, real name Lukasz Gottwald who originally headed the label she is signed to, Kemosabe Records. Kesha has been attempting to get free of her contract after she said Dr. Luke raped and abused her.
The case reached an apex in March when New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich rejected Kesha's amended lawsuit against Dr. Luke. The ruling was similar to one made in April 2016 in which the pop star's claims were dismissed.
Dr. Luke has since sued Kesha for defamation as his contract with Sony Music expired, ending his run as the CEO of Kemosabe Records.
"I hope you're somewhere praying, praying/ I hope your soul is changing, changing/ I hope you find your peace falling on your knees, praying," Kesha sings in the chorus to "Praying."
The 30-year-old also penned an essay released through Lenny Letter Thursday that detailed the inspiration behind the song and the lyrics that deal with abandonment.
"There were so many days, months even, when I didn't want to get out of bed. I spent all day wanting to go to sleep, and then when I did fall asleep, I had horrible night terrors where I would physically cry and scream through the dark. I was never at peace, night or day. But I dragged myself out of bed and took my emotions to the studio and made art out of them. And I have never been happier with a body of work as I am with this record," she wrote.
Rainbow, will arrive Aug. 11 through RCA and Kemosabe Records. Featured guests will include Eagles of Death Metal and Dolly Parton, who will guest on a cover on her own song "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You," Pitchfork reports.
