Kesha’s ‘.’ Is a Smart, Funny Return to Her Hedonistic Roots

How does Kesha’s return to her signature “hot mess” persona in her sixth album, Period, reflect her artistic evolution while rekindling the chaos and charm that defined her early pop music career? The album, released on July 4, 2025, marks a bold reentry into the Entertainment scene, blending pop, hyperpop, and even polka into a sound that feels both nostalgic and audacious.

A Return to Her “Hot Mess” Persona: Chaos, Creativity, and Self-Expression

Kesha Sebert’s new album Period—stylized as .—is a stark departure from her earlier work, yet it feels like a natural evolution of the pop music artist’s self-proclaimed “hot mess” persona. In a recent interview, Kesha described the project as “the first album I’ve made where I felt truly free,” a sentiment that resonates with the unapologetic energy of her pop music sound. The album’s return to her roots, coupled with its experimental touches, signals a deliberate embrace of her irreverent style, which first gained notoriety with her debut single TiK ToK.

That 2010 track, which sold 14 million digital copies worldwide, cemented Kesha as an outlier in the pop music landscape—a genre often criticized for its polished veneer. Her hot mess persona, marked by unfiltered lyrics and a chaotic aesthetic, contrasted sharply with the calculated image of many pop music stars. Yet, Period seems to channel that same spirit of rebellion, though with a more refined edge. “I’m not a moron,” she quipped in a recent interview, hinting at the album’s blend of pop, hyperpop, and polka. The polka influence, in particular, stands out as a nod to her roots in the Entertainment world, where she once described herself as “a wild child with a spark.”

The album’s release coincides with a world tour that includes a co-headlining performance with the Scissor Sisters, a band known for their pop music and rock fusion. This collaboration underscores Kesha’s ability to reinvent herself while staying true to her pop music identity. The tour’s promotional materials, featuring Kesha in a Vogue-inspired pose, suggest a renewed focus on her pop music legacy, even as she experiments with new sonic territory.

Kesha’s Independent Move: A Statement on Artist Autonomy

Kesha’s Period is not just a musical project—it’s a pop music statement about creative control. After leaving RCA and Kemosabe Records in December 2023, she launched her own label, Kesha Records, and used it to release Period. This move aligns with a growing trend in the Entertainment industry, where artists are reclaiming ownership of their work.

The pop music industry has long been criticized for its corporate grip on talent, and Kesha’s departure from major labels has been seen as both a risk and a reward. “I wanted to make an album that felt like me,” she explained in a candid interview with People (magazine). “Not one that’s dictated by a label’s vision.” Her pop music journey, from TiK ToK to the hyperpop-inspired tracks on Period, reflects a willingness to defy expectations.

The album’s release was accompanied by a world tour that includes stops in Malaysia, a country where Kesha faced controversy earlier in her career. In 2020, she was banned from performing there due to a polarizing comment about the IDF, a decision that sparked Vogue-style debates about free expression and cultural sensitivity. Now, returning to Malaysia with her pop music sound, Kesha seems to be addressing that past with a mix of humor and defiance. “I’m not here to apologize,” she said in a press release. “I’m here to celebrate.”

Her pop music resurgence also highlights a broader shift in the Entertainment industry, where artists are increasingly prioritizing autonomy. The Scissor Sisters collaboration, for instance, reflects her ability to work with pop music acts while maintaining her unique voice. “I’ve always been a bit of a hyperpop weirdo,” she joked, “but I’m not afraid to own it now.”

The Sound of Period: A Melding of Genres and a Nod to the Past

Musically, Period is a wild mix of pop, hyperpop, polka, EDM, country pop, and disco, a sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The album’s title, ., is a nod to her early pop music days, where she was known for her hyperpop flair and unapologetic lyrics. “I wanted to make something that feels like a party,” she said, referencing the album’s playful, pop music-driven tracks. “But also something that makes you think.”

The polka elements, in particular, stand out as a deliberate choice. Kesha, who once described herself as “a pop music rebel,” has always been drawn to the disco and EDM genres, but the polka twist feels like a callback to her pop music roots. “I’ve always been into pop music as a genre,” she said, “but I wanted to see what happens when you mix it with something unexpected.”

The album’s pop music sound is also influenced by her hyperpop experimentation in recent years. Tracks like the lead single . blend pop with hyperpop elements, creating a sound that’s both familiar and fresh. “I’ve been working on hyperpop for a while,” she admitted. “But I think Period is the first time I’ve really let it shine.”

This genre-bending approach has drawn comparisons to Charli xcx, who recently released her Brat album. Kesha has openly called Charli xcx a “godmother” of her hyperpop evolution, acknowledging the shared spirit of rebellion and experimentation. “We’re both trying to break the rules in our own way,” she said. “And that’s what makes pop music exciting.”

A Timely Return: Kesha’s Pop Music Revival in 2025

Kesha’s return in 2025 feels oddly timely, especially given the pop music landscape’s current state. With the rise of hyperpop artists like Charli xcx and the increasing influence of TikTok, Kesha’s pop music revival offers a bridge between her early hyperpop days and the TikTok-driven trends of today.

The TikTok algorithm has played a role in Kesha’s return, as her . album has already generated buzz on the platform. A clip of her performing a polka-inspired track went viral, with fans praising her “bold” and “funny” direction. “I’ve always been a pop music weirdo,” she said in a Vogue interview. “And I think that’s what TikTok loves.”

The album’s pop music themes also resonate with a TikTok generation that values authenticity over perfection. Kesha’s . is filled with self-deprecating humor and unfiltered lyrics, a style that aligns with the TikTok culture of vulnerability and relatability. “I’m not here to be a polished pop music star,” she said. “I’m here to be real.”

Her pop music comeback is also a nod to her hyperpop roots, which have been a point of contention in her career. While some critics initially dismissed hyperpop as a niche genre, Kesha’s pop music evolution has proven that it can be both mainstream and subversive. “I think hyperpop is just another form of pop music,” she said. “It’s about feeling free, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do for years.”

Kesha’s Pop Music Legacy: From Controversy to Relevance

Kesha’s journey from pop music icon to hyperpop pioneer and back again is a testament to her resilience. The TikTok-era pop music landscape has changed dramatically since her TiK ToK days, and Period feels like her answer to that evolution. “I’ve been in the industry for a while,” she said in a People (magazine) interview. “But I still feel like I’m just getting started.”

The album’s release coincides with a pop music moment in which artists like Charli xcx are redefining the genre. Kesha’s hyperpop-infused sound, combined with her pop music roots, positions her as a bridge between old and new. “I’ve always been a pop music weirdo,” she said, “but I think I’ve found my voice again.”

Her pop music comeback also highlights the TikTok-driven shift in how artists engage with their audience. The . tour, for instance, includes Scissor Sisters and features TikTok-style moments, such as live performances that blend pop, hyperpop, and polka. “I wanted to make something that felt like a party,” she said. “But also something that makes you think.”

The pop music industry has long been a double-edged sword for Kesha, who’s had to navigate both mainstream success and TikTok-generated controversy. Yet, Period feels like a triumph, proving that even the most pop music-centric artists can thrive in a hyperpop-driven world. “I think pop music is evolving,” she said. “And I’m excited to be part of that change.”

Key Takeaways

• A Bold Return: Kesha’s sixth album Period—stylized as .—is a smart, funny reclamation of her pop music roots, blending hyperpop, polka, and EDM into a sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
• Independent Vision: The album’s release through Kesha Records marks a pivotal moment in her pop music career, emphasizing her commitment to creative autonomy and self-expression.
• Timely Resurgence: Kesha’s return in 2025 aligns with the TikTok-driven pop music landscape, where artists like Charli xcx are redefining the genre’s boundaries.
• Cultural Impact: The . tour, co-headlined by the Scissor Sisters, highlights Kesha’s ability to merge pop music with hyperpop and polka, appealing to a diverse audience.
• Legacy of Rebellion: Kesha’s pop music journey—from TiK ToK to Period—reflects her enduring role as a hyperpop outlier, challenging industry norms while staying true to her TikTok-inspired charisma.