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Artists You May Like: Grace Potter, Jess Glynne, Dua Lipa
Over the past ten years, we have seen Miley Cyrus flourish from innocent Disney star to relentless pop music sensation. While the journey consisted of unexpected twists and surprising turns, we were nonetheless intrigued. We all wondered which Miley we would see that day, and what amazing thing would she be up to next. Regardless of our expectations, though, Miley always has a way of blowing them out of the water, which is all the more true on her latest album, Plastic Hearts.
We all know that there are a lot of different sides to Miley, and one of the sides that comes through on the album is her fun pop side. We hear strong 80s pop moments on Plastic Hearts, which emphasize the glam rock world that Miley has alluded to ever since she released the album’s first single, “Midnight Sky.” On “Prisoner,” for instance, Miley and Dua Lipa join forces to bring us a track that is reminiscent of Olivia Newton-John’s 80s hit, “Physical.” We also have “Night Crawling,” which features the brilliant Billy Idol. The track has this 80s pop sensibility, where it tries to sound slightly “futuristic” or beyond its time, which makes it an entertaining listen. Once we hear Billy’s voice, the intensity of the track reaches an all-time high, and we are left with chills.
Undeniably, there is a rock edge to most of the tracks on Plastic Hearts, which perfectly suits the gritty timbre of Miley’s voice. Whether she is going full-throttle on the album’s title track or cranking out a relentless version of The Cranberries’ “Zombie,” Miley is showing us that she has what it takes to be a great rock icon. If those tracks are not enough to convince you, then you might be swayed by “Bad Karma” or “Edge of Midnight.” Miley teams up with Joan Jett on the former, then teams up with Stevie Nicks on the latter; based on how well her voice blends together with these legendary women, it is clear that Miley can definitely be a dominant force in the rock and roll world.
My favorite songs on the album, though, are the reflective, raw tracks. We have the semi-acoustic “Angels Like You,” which touches on the notion of leaving a relationship that is almost too good for you. Miley sings, “It’s not your fault I ruin everything / And it’s not your fault I can’t be what you need,” showing that even though this is a relationship she wants, she is being the bigger person by letting it go. Another moving track is “Golden G String.” It has that “Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’” feel, where its melodies can be sung by a group of people looking for a sense of camaraderie and comfort. In the end, you feel inspired by its messages, and hopeful that better days are yet to come.
So, whichever kind of Miley you relate to, you are sure to connect with one or two or all of those versions on Plastic Hearts. Miley has a timeless quality that spans across different generations and multiple genres, and it holds your attention from the first track to the last. Your elderly grandma who loves folk music would be sure to connect with a few of the songs, as well as your cool uncle who enjoys heavy metal. Because, even if we all have plastic hearts, they still hold a beat.
You can listen to Plastic Hearts on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify.
Keep up with Miley Cyrus: Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // Website
