What's on repeat: Miley's new album (which is weird as hell, in the best way)
"Too good to be true" was the first thought I had after hearing that Miley Cyrus announced a 23-track album for free on the night of the VMA's.
Skeptical but hopeful, I soon learned that yes, it was true. Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz has 23 songs (two full albums worth of music) and is available to stream for absolutely free online.
Still a bit skeptical (what can I say? I don't mess around when it comes to new music), I wondered if these songs would be the same Miley music I know and love. Sure enough, the album has lots of elements reminiscent of the masterpiece that is Bangerz, including a mild hip-hop influence and the obligatory autotuned "Mike WiLL Made It" line that kicks off so many Miley songs.
But Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz is different from her past albums in the sense that drugs were definitely involved in the making of this and it's pretty obvious. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing - you do you, Miley. In fact, the trippy lyrics and slow beats of the songs remind me of some major Beatles vibes. (I know some people would absolutely cringe at this comparison. Apologies to any classic rock fans who are cynical about today's pop music.)
In other words, Miley definitely tried a new style with this album, and in my opinion, the result is unique and definitely shows a more thoughtful and personal side of the star. Part of this is due to the raw sound of many of the songs, which sound like they were recorded at home with a laptop and a microphone. The crackles of her voice and moments of actual speaking also contribute to this right-at-home feeling. (Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall at Miley's home though? Kudos to myself for using a vintage Miley reference. I promise I didn't even realize it until after I wrote it... I swear.)
A moment of particular vulnerability on the album comes on "Twinkle Song," the final song on the album. Toward the end of the "What does it mean?" existentialist song Miley literally begins to scream-sing. The lack of regard to sounding traditionally good or "pretty" is actually beautiful in a raw and unfiltered way, and just exemplifies how Miley has no qualms about doing what others won't. (Sometimes when I listen to this song I imagine Miley singing it live while some more reserved pop stars, like Taylor Swift, sit in the audience, looking absolutely terrified and shifting uncomfortably in their seats while Miley screeches and hollers out her innermost thoughts and feelings.)
Miley also cries at the end of "Pablow the Blowfish," states that she needs more marijuana at the beginning of "Dooo It!" (the album's first single), and spends most of "BB Talk" casually talking.
Other favorites include the dreamy sounds and wispy vocals on "Space Boots," the relaxing vibe and thought-provoking lyrics of "Tiger Dreams," and the upbeat throwback that is "1 Sun." And by throwback, I mean the heavy electronic pop sound combined with the inspiring call-to-action lyrics sound like something straight from Miley's 2010 "Can't Be Tamed" days (or even - quickly looks around - her Hannah Montana days nearly a decade ago).
There's a lot of people who will roll their eyes at Miley, calling her a trainwreck and asking "What happened to her?" But before you do this, consider what you're rolling your eyes at. A 22-year-old woman who has released an entire album for fans to listen to for free, who founded her own charity to help homeless and LGBT youth, and who has managed to completely shake the chains of her former image in order to revamp herself into who she really wants to be? That takes some guts.
Skeptical but hopeful, I soon learned that yes, it was true. Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz has 23 songs (two full albums worth of music) and is available to stream for absolutely free online.
Still a bit skeptical (what can I say? I don't mess around when it comes to new music), I wondered if these songs would be the same Miley music I know and love. Sure enough, the album has lots of elements reminiscent of the masterpiece that is Bangerz, including a mild hip-hop influence and the obligatory autotuned "Mike WiLL Made It" line that kicks off so many Miley songs.
But Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz is different from her past albums in the sense that drugs were definitely involved in the making of this and it's pretty obvious. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing - you do you, Miley. In fact, the trippy lyrics and slow beats of the songs remind me of some major Beatles vibes. (I know some people would absolutely cringe at this comparison. Apologies to any classic rock fans who are cynical about today's pop music.)
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| Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz // Photo retrieved from Billboard |
In other words, Miley definitely tried a new style with this album, and in my opinion, the result is unique and definitely shows a more thoughtful and personal side of the star. Part of this is due to the raw sound of many of the songs, which sound like they were recorded at home with a laptop and a microphone. The crackles of her voice and moments of actual speaking also contribute to this right-at-home feeling. (Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall at Miley's home though? Kudos to myself for using a vintage Miley reference. I promise I didn't even realize it until after I wrote it... I swear.)
A moment of particular vulnerability on the album comes on "Twinkle Song," the final song on the album. Toward the end of the "What does it mean?" existentialist song Miley literally begins to scream-sing. The lack of regard to sounding traditionally good or "pretty" is actually beautiful in a raw and unfiltered way, and just exemplifies how Miley has no qualms about doing what others won't. (Sometimes when I listen to this song I imagine Miley singing it live while some more reserved pop stars, like Taylor Swift, sit in the audience, looking absolutely terrified and shifting uncomfortably in their seats while Miley screeches and hollers out her innermost thoughts and feelings.)
Miley also cries at the end of "Pablow the Blowfish," states that she needs more marijuana at the beginning of "Dooo It!" (the album's first single), and spends most of "BB Talk" casually talking.
In my opinion, "BB Talk" definitely deserves the most attention of all the songs on the album. In this song, Miley muses on her disgust at cutesy couple talk ("goo") before coming to the realization that she actually adores it (well, her love interest, at least). The catchy beat and undeniable charm of Miley's vulgar monologue have helped keep this jam on constant repeat for me. This is the kind of song that makes you smile and even laugh, which is pretty hard to come by. A song that makes you genuinely feel something is good in my book.
Other favorites include the dreamy sounds and wispy vocals on "Space Boots," the relaxing vibe and thought-provoking lyrics of "Tiger Dreams," and the upbeat throwback that is "1 Sun." And by throwback, I mean the heavy electronic pop sound combined with the inspiring call-to-action lyrics sound like something straight from Miley's 2010 "Can't Be Tamed" days (or even - quickly looks around - her Hannah Montana days nearly a decade ago).
There's a lot of people who will roll their eyes at Miley, calling her a trainwreck and asking "What happened to her?" But before you do this, consider what you're rolling your eyes at. A 22-year-old woman who has released an entire album for fans to listen to for free, who founded her own charity to help homeless and LGBT youth, and who has managed to completely shake the chains of her former image in order to revamp herself into who she really wants to be? That takes some guts.
"Self control is not something I'm working on." -Miley Cyrus, "Slab of Butter"
great post. LOL at the name of the album. Oh Miley, dearie, please go back to "hoppin off the plane at LAX with a dream and a cardigan."
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