Kesha, “Rainbow”
Kesha, “Rainbow”
RCA Records
Illustrator: Robert Beatty
Art Direction: Brian Roettinger
Photography: Olivia Bee
Kesha came roaring back to the music industry in 2017 after a years-long roadblock: a sexual harassment case against former producer Dr. Luke. The suit sparked a movement, but many fans were left wondering if this situation would silence Kesha forever. She didn’t even think she would be able to put out an album again, especially one on her own terms. Luckily, she created Rainbow, her strongest album to date, and a radical departure from her previous party-rap hits. Rainbow was true to her musical influences, including Iggy Pop, Dolly Parton, and The Beach Boys. The album infuses a classical country sound with rock and her usual pop influences.
The psychedelic artwork was revealed by Kesha on Instagram. Illustrated by Robert Beatty, the cover shows a nude Kesha, photographed by Olivia Bee, staring off into a corridor in space, surrounded by gem-studded spaceships, floating eyes, and standing in a pool of water. Beatty uses his trademark psychedelia that has been seen in his other covers for acts ranging from Thee Oh Sees to Tame Impala.
Many of the albums tracks, including the closer, “Spaceship,” are about finding one’s place in the universe and the trials and tribulation along with it. The artwork greatly reflects the wild nature of this journey.
