January 22, 2010

Album review: Ke$ha - Animal (Sony)
Ke$ha Tickets

LA Clever rhythms and rhymes from a debut that takes no prisoners

5 / 10 Flanked by the two pillars of Swedish pop production – Max Martin and Dr Luke – rises Ke$ha. Focusing on booze and boys, and dressing like a ‘Dirrty’-era Christina (by way of Axl Rose), a groomed popette she is not. Yet, beneath the patina of skeezy Freshers’-Week-LOLZ lyrics (“got a water-bottle of whiskey in my handbag”) lies a talent. Claiming the writing credit on each track, including smash ‘Tik Tok’, clever rhythms and rhymes are testament to a musicality that the disposable nature of her subject matter hides. ‘Dinosaur’ contains the pay-off “Honey, your toupee is falling to the left side/Get up and go bro/Oh wait, you’re fossilized”. The token ‘meaningful’ track – ‘Dancing With Tears In My Eyes’ is best avoided, though.

Ailbhe Malone

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