Kesha Announces Her New Album: 'Rainbow'

On Thursday morning, fans were treated to Kesha's new single "Praying," on top of a music video, and a Lenny Letter essay about the creation of the song. But fans were also treated to the announcement that Kesha's new album Rainbow's release date is coming up in just one short month: August 11, to be exact. According to the singer, this album will be her most personal yet, and nowhere is that more obvious than with the "Praying" single and its lyrics. The singer's voice is stripped down and raw with emotion, accompanied by simple piano music and chorus-like backup singing that will haunt you long after it's over.

"I've written a record that reveals my vulnerabilities, and I have found strength in that," she wrote in Lenny Letter. "In the past, I've always felt like I was trying to prove something, trying to be someone I thought people wanted me to be, but on this record, I'm just telling the truth about my life. This album is me. The most raw and real art I have ever created, and now it's my gift to you. I hope you love it. Thank you for not giving up on me."

If you've been a longtime fan of the pop singer, then you've known that her vocal and lyrical talents go far past her two studio albums. Though they're best known for their vibrant use of autotune and irreverent lyrics ("Stephen" remains an underrated classic, OK?), other songs like "We R Who We R," "Warrior," and, more recently, "True Colors" revealed softer and more proactive sides of Kesha. You know, the sides that her fans have always seen in and around her stage persona.

"Praying" is the perfect summary of all of that, and it is an amazing taste of a new era of music from the singer. All that she's overcome to arrive at this moment and this album has been both high-publicized and tragic — in her own words, she's survived "intense anxiety and depression, a relentless eating disorder, and all the other basic bullsh*t that comes with being human." And she's come out on the other side ready to share those struggles with others who might be struggling with the same issues, so that she can help to lift them up. Which is truly beautiful, and very in character for the singer.

Although there's still a month to go until Kesha's "Rainbow" comes out, fans from all walks of life are already promoting it and pre-ordering it to support the pop star. It's been far too long since we got new music from Kesha, but, above that, it's been far too long since the singer has gotten to tell her story in her own words. And the world is beyond ready to listen.