In a perfect world, “Praying,” Kesha’s magnum opus from 2015, should have been the catalyst for change that led to a resolution in the saga between Kesha and Dr. Luke. Female singers of all ages lined the stage to perform the power ballad with her at the 2016 Grammy Awards in a show of solidarity, but, unfortunately, it did not have the desired effect. Eight years later, she is still fighting to free herself of the chains that have been so tightly bound throughout her whole ordeal, and popular artists, females included, still opt to work with him.
Meanwhile, the artist who served as the vehicle for true modern pop anthems such as “Your Love Is My Drug,” “Tik Tok,” and “We R Who We R” is still suffering. “Praying” is, of course, stunning, revealing, and bold… a true musical gift, but knowing the extent of the events that inspired it leaves a blemish on what is, in so many ways, a spectacular song. The fight she has had to endure is one most would have quit a long time ago.
But this is Kesha we’re talking about. She does not quit. She is unwavering. But she is sick and tired of needing to be. Her intensely personal new songs “Eat The Acid” and “Fine Line” are out now.
“Fine Line” sounds like the perfect thesis statement… a visceral yet truthful jab at anyone and everyone involved, whether they were complacent in the situation or not, for Kesha’s upcoming album Gag Order. However, it is currently listed as fourth on the tracklist.
“There’s a fine line between hope and delusion / Between what’s right and what we’ve just gotten used to,” she sings in a crackly sleepwalker-like tone, a far cry from the overtly expressive and playfully rebellious approach that made her a star well over a decade ago. She’s letting him, the industry, and us, have it; “Don’t f***in call me a fighter / Don’t f***in call me a joke / You have no f***in idea, trust me, you’ll never know.”
Rick Rubin, as he so often does, masterfully crafted the track to reflect the tension and dizzying thoughts swirling through Kesha’s psyche. At times, it feels weightless and disconnected, and then she collects herself once more for another round of hurtful truths in what can only be described as semi-calculated spitballing; “There’s a fine line between what’s entertaining / And what’s just exploiting the pain/But, hey, look at the money was made off me.”
Is it commercial? Not necessarily. Is it marketable? Potentially. But does she care? No. She doesn’t. At this point, Kesha, showing remarkable selflessness, continues to be vocal about her situation in the hopes that someone, anyone, will know enough to not fall into the same trap that she is still climbing out of.
Stream “Fine Line” on Spotify: