High Road
by Kesha
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jan 31, 2020
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 367 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 317 out of 367
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 367
  3. Negative: 25 out of 367
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  1. MusicGuyMack
    Feb 16, 2020
    6
    Appropriately energetic and bombastic musically yet frustratingly banal lyrically more often than not, the record isn't without satisfying moments but falls flat in attempting to fuse the female empowerment themes of "Rainbow" with Kesha's late-2000s party girl persona.
  2. Agnes22
    Feb 2, 2020
    4
    while i’m happy for her successful comeback, this album did not manage to make me feel anything. yes i bopped along to some of the songs, but that was about it. it’s forgettable
  3. Michaeldermerr
    Jan 31, 2020
    6
    This album is classical Kesha but the songwriting was a bit pitiful and had high moments in some parts. I would say it’s cool to see Kesha back but nothing too special sadly
  4. EdsonReview
    Jan 31, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. O álbum é mediano, pois tem uma certa desorganização sonora que incomoda ao ouvir... Acho que ela devia ter seguido a sonoridade da faixa 'Honey' que é impecável, a minha favorita. Mais perfeccionismo da próxima vez, Kesha!… Expand
  5. Blueshamrock
    Feb 4, 2020
    6
    All songs sound the same
  6. vitortfv
    Dec 5, 2020
    6
    Tonight - 7/10
    My Own Dance - 6,5/10
    Raising Hell (feat. Big Freedia) - 6,7/10 High Road - 6,5/10 Shadow - 7/10 Honey - 6,6/10 Cowboy Blues - 6/10 Resentment (feat. Brian Wilson & Sturgill Simpson) - 6,8/10 Little Bit of Love - 6,7/10 Birthday Suit - 5,4/10 Kinky (feat. Ke$ha) - 5,7/10 Potato Song (Cuz I Want To) - 5/10 Bff (feat. Wrabel) - 5,7/10 Father Daughter Dance -    Tonight - 7/10
    My Own Dance - 6,5/10
    Raising Hell (feat. Big Freedia) - 6,7/10
    High Road - 6,5/10
    Shadow - 7/10
    Honey - 6,6/10
    Cowboy Blues - 6/10
    Resentment (feat. Brian Wilson & Sturgill Simpson) - 6,8/10
    Little Bit of Love - 6,7/10
    Birthday Suit - 5,4/10
    Kinky (feat. Ke$ha) - 5,7/10
    Potato Song (Cuz I Want To) - 5/10
    Bff (feat. Wrabel) - 5,7/10
    Father Daughter Dance - 6,5/10
    Chasing Thunder - 7/10
    Summer - 7/10    … Expand
  7. sscott0829tw
    Feb 4, 2020
    6
    While this album do have some awesome moments like "Raising Hell","Resentment" and "Father Daughter Dance", Songs like that awful potato song and some lackluster tracks like the title track and Honey held this album back. Though the mix of seveal types of Kesha style isn't bad, she has some vocal moments just went too far. But it's still a good album.
  8. JeremySpears
    Feb 27, 2020
    6
    I have no idea what Kesha's vision was for this album. I really have no idea. All I know is that it was a huge disappointment. Her first three albums were (trashy) dance pop gems and her fourth album "Rainbow" was completely different, slowed down and very deep and personal. Now she released this. A huge downgrade. This album has no real direction. There’s a little bit of everything andI have no idea what Kesha's vision was for this album. I really have no idea. All I know is that it was a huge disappointment. Her first three albums were (trashy) dance pop gems and her fourth album "Rainbow" was completely different, slowed down and very deep and personal. Now she released this. A huge downgrade. This album has no real direction. There’s a little bit of everything and the result is extremely messy. Of course this album does have it's good moments. "Kinky", "My Own Dance" and "Raising Hell" are fun dance pop songs that take you back to the days of her first three projects. Then there are the slow acoustic songs "Resentment" and "Cowboy Blues" which I really like. "Father Daughter Dance" is a VERY beautiful, emotional ballad. "Honey" is a cool mid-tempo track that has an R&B vibe to it. I still don’t know what I think about "The Potato Song (Cuz I Want To)". It’s one of the messy and weird songs but it’s actually pretty fun. Then there are songs like "Tonight", "High Road" and "Bff" which are just kind of boring as they go nowhere really. "Birthday Suit" is a terrible song that honestly sounds like one big joke. One of the worst songs of her career. The last two songs "Chasing Thunder" and "Summer" are good but nothing special. All in all "High Road" turned out to be just an okay album and like I said I have no idea what her vision was for this project. It's very very messy and her worst work to date. Still not a horrible album though. Favorite: Father Daughter Dance, My Own Dance, Resentment & Kinky… Expand
  9. JordanLayton
    Apr 27, 2020
    4
    I can't tell if Kesha has regressed or if most of this is satire of the weekend-party-best-of-our-lives trash pop sub-genre. Between that and the flavors of country sprinkled throughout, the direction Kesha was aiming for in this project is completely unclear to me. Factoring in the 52 minute runtime on top of that, this seems like a bit of a streaming dollars cash grab.... I loved RainbowI can't tell if Kesha has regressed or if most of this is satire of the weekend-party-best-of-our-lives trash pop sub-genre. Between that and the flavors of country sprinkled throughout, the direction Kesha was aiming for in this project is completely unclear to me. Factoring in the 52 minute runtime on top of that, this seems like a bit of a streaming dollars cash grab.... I loved Rainbow and I enjoy moments on here, but mostly High Road is just underwhelming and confusing.… Expand
  10. connordalzin
    Dec 1, 2020
    4
    I'm a Kesha fan and this just doesn't do it for me. The mix between genuine songs and party anthems don't blend. She's trying too hard. Kinky is a bop, but that pretty much it.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. The A.V. Club
    Feb 5, 2020
    83
    High Road works because of Kesha’s self-assurance and self-possession.
    Read full review
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 4, 2020
    90
    A celebration of lightness, of fun, and of growing, learning, healing, High Road confidently and comfortably reconciles the different sides of Kesha which previously felt separate.
    Read full review
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 3, 2020
    80
    The genre-hopping leads to the odd stumble here and there, but overall the never boring, often excellent High Road finds Kesha returning to the party on her own terms.
    Read full review
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