Follow me as we dissect Miley Cyrus’ new album, Something Beautiful, track by track.
Surrender yourself to the enlightening pilgrimage of Something Beautiful by Miley Cyrus. A musical and lyrical powerhouse, unlike that of any album I’ve seen before. Miley has strayed from the easy path and instead created not just an album but an experience. Fully visual and fully immersive, with an ocean of sound that makes you feel like you are in fact walking “through a lucid dream”.
The album comes in straight away with Prelude, an overtaking and all encompassing introduction to the music that’s to come. It perfectly captures the entire essence of the album, with psychedelic sounds and softly spoken lyrics that sound out the beauty of the human experience. The high frequencies can be heard like singing bowls, intriguing your senses.
Next comes Something Beautiful, the title track, which debuted during The Last Showgirl, a Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated film. The song is a rollercoaster of sound and really captures the tone of the album, full of uncertainty but also great moments. It certainly keeps any listener on their toes, in the best way possible. Like the plot of The Last Showgirl, this could be Miley exploring how she has grown up in the spotlight and finding her place comfortably at the top.
Third is End of the World, the second single to be released. One of the most upbeat songs on the record and is in keeping with all of our favourite pop beats, but always with an alternative twist. Which remain synonymous with Miley and her music style.
The fourth track on the album is the third single that was released, More to Lose. This song keeps Miley’s career long streak of making stunningly vulnerable music, along with creating striking ballads. More to Lose looks back into Miley’s past, mainly past relationships and the slow release of letting someone go.
This fades us into Interlude 1, a purely instrumental experience, with more high frequency sound waves. Half way through the energy picks up and sends us through to Easy Lover. An expertly crafted transition from the solemn nature of More to Lose to another upbeat hit.
Easy Lover is the single which led the release of the album. Arguably one of the most spirited and unique songs on the whole album. This is the song you play to introduce a person to Something Beautiful, making it the right choice to promote the drop of the album.
Interlude 2 comes straight from the end of Easy Lover. It’s a very fast-paced, electronic instrumental which holds Easy Lover in a bath of sound. The music introduces us to the second half of the album, almost as a palette cleanser for the ears.
Golden Burning Sun is a bit of a switch up to a more laid back style. Reminiscent of the Younger Now album. This is the song you want to play on a road trip, cruising with no worries and the wind in your hair. Not to mention the instrumental 3 minutes into the song, has all the right features of what the sun would sound like in my mind. Before kicking back into a final chorus, where Miley once again is telling us to “surrender” to the human experience and just be at one in the space you hold.
Next up is Walk of Fame (ft. Brittany Howard) which can only be described as 2000s diva pop. It feels like a return to club culture music. Walk of Fame holds a different kind of energy to all the other songs on the album and is sure to have you strutting around the streets. This song holds the essence of Miley on stage, singing Flowers, after winning her first grammy. If you know, you know.
Following the girlie pop whirlwind of Walk of Fame, is Pretend You’re God. A more lyrically focused track, with a laid back vibe. Although it does sound similar to Miley’s Dead Petz album, adding a more psychedelic edge.
Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved (ft. Naomi Campbell) is similar to that of Walk of Fame. A sexy tune, which would find a place for in a club playlist. This song definitely feels like a ‘rise to heaven’ for us with classic Cyrus vocals. The soft spoken British accent of Naomi Campbell features towards the end of the song, feeding us beautiful words, spoken in a way that mimics Vogue by Madonna.
Reborn begins to carry us off the album with a funky baseline and 80s vibes injected throughout. This is possibly my most favourite song of the album with a solid message of self love and growth. All set to a contagious, upbeat party baseline.
The final track of Something Beautiful is Give Me Love. A full circle moment that the something beautiful is always love, in whatever form that comes in. A collection of genius lyrics which ascend you to the heaven that Miley has so frequently spoken about on this album. The song retells the story of Adam and Eve. This time Miley is the one acting out the biblical tale, describing the experience not only with words but with tender sound. A unique experience where the constant for her is love, and the want of it. “I’m eaten alive by the mouth of a monster, while fearlessly calling out your name” are the words which conclude the album. These words tell us how Miley has gone through so much throughout her life and career but there’s always a return to love. Even in hardship, you still seek the Something Beautiful.
“If heaven exists, I’ve been there before” and this album was the transportation device. Something Beautiful has blown a hole in the music industry and is aiding a new category of artistry. Miley Cyrus’ well known bold moves and strong passions have built up to this historical moment in her musical career. We are collectively witnessing a living legend solidify her legacy. It’s safe to say you could tie us to horses and we still wouldn’t leave Miley.
Something Beautiful is out now. The accompanying visual film hits cinemas internationally on 27th June (12th June – US) and you can purchase tickets here. Watch the trailer for the visual film below.
Image source of featured image.
FOR THE FANS 