On Saturday, May 30, Miley Cyrus released her newest pop album, Something Beautiful, which precedes an accompanying musical film set for Friday, June 6. The 13-track album is glittering, creative, and dramatic. However, it doesn’t quite live up to the expectations Cyrus set for it, comparing her new album to Pink Floyd’s “The Wall but with a better wardrobe.”
Cyrus got her start in the hit Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, during which she had two No. 1 tracks on the Billboard charts. Since then, Miley has experimented with styles on eight albums, including hip hop and R&B-influenced Bangerz in 2013 and rock-influenced Plastic Hearts in 2020. Throughout her career, she became known for huge, catchy pop hits such as “Party in the USA,” “Wrecking Ball,” and most recently, “Flowers.” Something Beautiful shows how she continues to experiment with styles and challenge herself.
While the album has standout tracks, it doesn’t quite live up to Cyrus’ claim that it is “a concept album that’s an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music.” The album features a prelude and two interludes, which are dramatic and productionally interesting, but feel unnecessary and interrupt the flow of the album. The album is also weak lyrically. With the exception of “More to Lose,” Miley plays it safe. She covers interesting and complicated topics like fame, heartbreak, and escapism, but she is vague and impersonal.
Following the “Prelude” is “Something Beautiful,” which starts jazzy and soulful for about a minute and a half, until it switches and starts to crash into a dramatic, dizzying orchestral breakdown. The shift is shocking and jarring for first-time listeners, but it kicks off the album with a unique and creative vibe. This song leaves listeners intrigued about how it will be visually shown in the musical film.
Track four, “More to Lose,” is a rich, emotional ballad that complements the more dance-focused tracks on the album. The lyrics are unfiltered in a way we don’t normally hear from Cyrus: “A movie star in a worn-out coat / Yeah, throw away my mind / And it happens all the time.” The song gorgeously builds into incredible vocal runs with cinematic saxophone before ending in a soft, ambient outro.
Track six, “Easy Lover,” is a daring, jazzy pop song that fits perfectly with Cyrus’ raspy vocals. This ‘70s funk rock tone combines with the song’s vulnerable lyrics about staying in a relationship even when it’s toxic: “Tie mе to horses and I still wouldn’t leave ya.” The song is unique because it expresses pain, but not in a ballad.
Track 11, “Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved,” featuring model Naomi Campbell, is by far one of the best songs on the album. It has sparkling, layered synths and a fun Lady Gaga-esque pop atmosphere. Campbell delivers a fun and iconic monologue hyping up Cyrus: “She never wears a watch, still she’s never late / She’s got that kind of grace / Did Botticelli paint her face?” The song is unserious, absurd, and fun, in a way that’s begging you to dance along.
Something Beautiful is glittering yet imperfect. If you want an album with gorgeous vocal range, lush production, and a bit of pop chaos, you won’t be disappointed. However, the album is missing personal, deeper lyrics. Something Beautiful earns 4.5 out of five feathers.
