Kesha is celebrating liberty and justice for all with the Independence Day release of her new single “Joyride,” the star’s first track since being set free from her contract with Kemosabe Records in December.
Dropping early Thursday (July 4) morning, the summer-ready song features Kesha revisiting her EDM-pop signature sound from the 2010s while asserting her right to take exactly what she wants without faking any smiles. “Don’t even try to give me s–t/ I’ve earned the right to be like this,” she sings over a flashy club beat. “Joy ride, joy ride/ I’m just looking for a good time tonight.”
The 37-year-old singer-songwriter hasn’t dropped music since 2023’s Gag Order, which was her last contractual release with Kemosabe. It’s also her first project since settling her nearly decade-long defamation lawsuit with the label’s founder, Dr. Luke whom she accused of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in 2014.
“I haven’t felt this free since I was 18,” Kesha wrote in a December TikTok post, shortly after it was first reported that her contract had been fulfilled.
The “We R Who We R” singer has been teasing “Joy Ride” for days leading up to its release, sharing campy videos of her dressed in a red leotard at a gas station to promote the track. One of the posts revealed that the song is presented by “Kesha Records.”
The musician also gave “Joyride” its live debut ahead of its official arrival, playing the song for her audience at New York City’s Planet Pride Saturday (June 29). “Good news: I’m a free motherf–king woman,” she said before starting the track. “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.”
Stream Kesha’s “Joyride” below.
