Gag Order (album)

Gag Order
Kesha with a plastic bag over her head.
Studio album by
Kesha
ReleasedMay 19, 2023 (2023-05-19)
Recorded2020–2022
StudioShangri-La (Malibu)
Genre
Length38:53
Label
Producer
Kesha chronology
High Road
(2020) 		Gag Order
(2023) 		Gag Order (Live Acoustic EP from Space)
(2023)
Singles from Gag Order
  1. "Fine Line" / "Eat the Acid"
    Released: April 28, 2023
  2. "Only Love Can Save Us Now"
    Released: May 17, 2023

Gag Order is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Kesha. It was released on May 19, 2023, by Kemosabe Records and RCA Records. This album marks her final release under her contract with both labels, which she signed when she was 18 years old.[1] The announcement of the album came in late April 2023, with Kesha serving as the executive producer, a role she took on for her previous two albums. She primarily worked with producer Rick Rubin, who helped her dive deep into her more vulnerable side to create the project. Other producers on the album include familiar collaborators such as Stuart Crichton, Stint and Drew Pearson, as well as new collaborators like Jussifer, Hudson Mohawke, Kennedi, and Jason Lader.

Musically, Gag Order diverges from the electro-pop sound of Kesha's previous album, High Road, and explores a range of genres, including art pop, experimental, electronic, and psychedelic elements.[1][2][3] Additionally, the album incorporates influences from minimalism, hyperpop, soul, lo-fi, dark wave, country, and gospel genres.[4][5] Kesha describes the album as a culmination of all the genres of music she enjoys.[6]

Lyrically, Gag Order delves into darker themes such as death, depression, emotional exploitation, control, hope, and a quest for truth.[7] In contrast to High Road, which aimed to recapture her party pop sound, Gag Order finds Kesha focusing on overcoming trauma and depression resulting from her legal battle with her former producer, Dr. Luke.

Critically, Gag Order received positive reviews from music critics, who particularly praised Kesha's vocals and songwriting, although opinions on the production were more varied. In anticipation of the album's release, three singles were unveiled: "Eat the Acid", "Fine Line", (released as a dual single), and "Only Love Can Save Us Now". A live acoustic extended play titled Gag Order (Live Acoustic EP from Space) was released on June 30, 2023. It includes four live acoustic performances of songs from the album. To promote the album, Kesha embarked on the Only Love Tour, which ran from October 15 to November 26, 2023.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference TheIndependentrev was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference PopMattersrev was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Green, Thomas H (May 18, 2023). "Album: Kesha – Gag Order review – lyrically wounded, sonically untethered". The Arts Desk. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Slantrev was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference TheClashrev was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Kesha on How Demi Lovato Inspired Her New Hobby of Summoning Aliens (Exclusive)". ET Online. January 14, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  7. ^ Cragg, Michael. "'I would walk in and just cry for two hours': Kesha on cats, court cases, and the dangers of 'toxic positivity'". The Guardian. Retrieved May 6, 2023.