Ke$ha's "Warrior" Review

[Ron]

Ke$ha's latest album, Warrior, dropped a few days ago (her second studio album and the first release of new material since the release of Cannibal in 2010) and I'm here to inspect each track!

1. Warrior - 7/10

The record starts off with a song that I can see topping the Billboard 100, or at least the Top 3. The hook is addictive and catchy, although the beat and technical effects feel very cliche and generic. This is typical Ke$ha, although there's something missing from this track that I can't place my figure on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyFuvN6L5DU

2. Die Young - 9/10

The second track on the album really does capsulate the idea of Ke$ha, and deserved to be the lead single. It's catchy, doesn't overuse typical techno effects that we see in songs from the Black Eyed Peas, LMFAO, etc. that verge on being dubstep. Die Young is a perfect example of what you see is what you get: a catchy party song. Is that a bad thing? No, because that's who Ke$ha is.

3. C'mon - 9/10

As catchy as Die Young, C'mon is a very summery song that blends old and new into one very sexual song ("Because we've been keeping it PG/But now I wanna get a little frisky/Come gimme some of that yum/Like a lollipop/Let me set you free").

4. Thinking Of You - 10/10

First impressions, I thought this song would be slow. Well, wrong. This song is much harder than the rest of the tracks on the album, yet INCREDIBLY badass, sexy, and catchy, but catchy in the sense that it feels much more unique than Die Young and C'mon.

5. Crazy Kids - 8/10

The opening definitely is reminiscent of Die Young, although it soon takes its own route as the track soon accelerates quickly. I actually find Kesha's genre-mashing rapping rather enjoyable (MUCH more enjoyable than Nicki Minaj's "rapping"). Overall, this track is catchy, but unmemorable.

6. Wherever You Are - 6/10

This feels like a wannabe Katy Perry track with the hook of "Love will never die" (is death supposed to be a theme on this album?) and a very upbeat melody. That being said, I actually think this song would've been amazing had Katy Perry actually sung it (Kesha doesn't do it very much justice; her vocals are blotted with auto-tune). It's an alright track, but definitely not a highlight.

7. Dirty Love ft. Iggy Pop - 10/10

This feels very 1970s... maybe something from Led Zeppelin, or Iggy Pop himself. That's not a bad song, this song is infused with Kesha and for some reason feels Gaga-inspired to me (she's released songs called Dirty Ice Cream and Filthy Pop that are like this). It makes me want to dance, and I do enjoy the track. Feels like she let lose in comparison to the rest of the album (which were playing it safe, honestly). However, it's very short at 2:45 and I wish it were longer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZtZnCXPtkk

8. Wonderland ft. Patrick Carney - 8/10

Kesha actually singing sounds weird, although I can tell this is devoid of autotune. It's a decent song, but I didn't come here to hear songs like this. I must say, though, that her raw vocals are very relaxing and the track is enjoyable nonetheless.

9. Only Wanna Dance With You ft. The Strokes - 7/10

I can picture someone dancing to this song alone in their room. It feels punk-rock, like something from Kelly Clarkson. I can't say I'm fond of it, but it's definitely better than Wherever You Are.

10. Supernatural - 6/10

I wish she'd've turned this into something like Die Young or C'Mon. I need a good pop song, not this dupstep crap. I'm disappointed with this track, but it is (slightly) catchy. It will probably still do well if it's released as a single.

11. All That Matters (The Beautiful Life) - 10/10

Finally! Another pop-centric song, and this may be more catchy than Die Young. This will hit #1, mark my words. This is so fucking catchy. The anthem's lyrical content is actually great too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMF_mdtDJQo

12. Love Into The Light - 10/10

This is very blues-y and jazzy. Whereas Wonderland wasn't the best slow song, this is an AMAZING way to end the album. Her vocals are relaxing. This self-empowering track is (simply put) awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8yNDz9SuG8

BONUS TRACKS

13. Last Goodbye - 8/10

Last Goodbye would've been so much better on the regular album in place of Wherever You Are; such a better love song. Not as catchy as Die Young and other songs, but still far better than other side tracks on Warrior.

14. Gold Trans Am - 6/10

Clearly Queen-influenced, the track shows more of Kesha's rock side, but sounds like it could also be country. Overall, it just doesn't fit well with Kesha, honestly.

15. Out Alive - 10/10

Why is this a bonus track? I've never heard of a bonus track that's been released as a single, so I doubt this'll be a single, but this is SO much better than some of the songs that made the final cut, and would've no doubt made the Billboard Top 10 had it been released as a single. What a waste.

16. Past Lives - 5/10

Very Taylor Swift-esque... color doesn't look great on Kesha.

Here's how I think the singles should go:

SINGLES

1. Die Young

2. All That Matters (The Beautiful Life)

3. Warrior

4. Crazy Kids

[Clappy]

I never had you pegged as a Kesha fan. Did the new cd convert you or were you always one?

[SG19]

I never had you pegged as a Kesha fan. Did the new cd convert you or were you always one?

That's what I wanna know.

[Elastic Dawg]

The Iggy Pop collaboration is...surprisingly decent. I guess she's improving.

It feels punk-rock, like something from Kelly Clarkson.

lolwut

[Ron]

I never had you pegged as a Kesha fan. Did the new cd convert you or were you always one?

That's what I wanna know.

No. I liked around four of her songs (Animal, Blind, Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, and Cannibal are all great and addictive). I'm not a huge fan, but I like her.