Just in time for the holiday season, Miley Cyrus has delighted her fans once again by dropping her new album, Plastic Hearts. With a delightful blend of pop and rock, this marks Cyrus’ sixth studio album following her departure from the beloved Hannah Montana character.
Plastic Hearts embraces the raw and raspy quality of Miley Cyrus’ voice, while also delving into her personal experiences and relationships. The album introduces Cyrus with an authentic rock sound, while incorporating select elements of pop to give it a contemporary edge. The end of her well-known relationships with Liam Hemsworth and Cody Simpson serves as the inspiration for the album, but Cyrus doesn’t rely solely on the specifics of her past. Instead, she approaches her lyrics with a sense of vagueness and universal emotions, allowing listeners from all walks of life to connect with her music. In this way, Plastic Hearts manages to be both timeless and current.
Drawing inspiration from heartbreak and the challenges of being in the public eye, Miley Cyrus has made the decision to create an album in the rock-pop genre. This choice reflects the similarities between the rebellious nature of rock music and Cyrus’ own life experiences. Rock music, with its associations of freedom and defiance, resonates with Cyrus as she navigates through the aftermath of two significant relationships and tries to establish her own individuality within the music industry.
The end of her Hannah Montana persona and the restrictive expectations that came with it allowed Cyrus to finally break free and define herself on her own terms. Her first album post-Hannah Montana, “Bangerz,” showcased a bold declaration of independence, although it still fell within the realm of pop music. Then, “Miley Cyrus & Her dead Petz” further emphasized her rebellious lifestyle through its psychedelic sound.
Now, with “Plastic Hearts,” Cyrus enters a new phase of her life. This album transcends any relationship status and instead channels the essence of her past loves, immersing the singer in the emotional atmosphere of a rock concert bathed in cool, solitary blue lights.
The essence of the album lies in its connection to the musical styles of the late 20th century. The lively and energetic singles of the album maintain a strong presence through the use of drums reminiscent of the vibrant ’80s era, while the combination of electric guitars and unrefined, raw vocals harken back to the rawness of ’90s rock. Adding to the complexity of the sound, the influence of her Nashville origins can be heard in the multi-layered vocals of the album’s ballads, particularly showcased in the song “High.” This intricate blend often goes unnoticed by casual listeners, but it adds a depth to her work that should not be overlooked.
The album goes beyond being solely defined by its rock anthems; it effortlessly pairs high-energy tracks with heartfelt ballads. Cyrus skillfully weaves together fast-paced and slow-tempo songs, creating a body of work that allows you to both dance and shed tears simultaneously.
The inclusion of vocal features on the album further reveals Cyrus’ main sources of inspiration. Through the seamless collaboration with rock and pop icons such as Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett, and Billy Idol, the significance of Cyrus’ voice in our generation of music legends becomes even more apparent. Their voices blend so harmoniously with hers that it becomes challenging to distinguish whether it’s Nicks or Cyrus singing on “Edge of Midnight,” or if it’s Jett or Cyrus gracing our ears with their vocals on “Bad Karma.” This integration of renowned voices highlights Cyrus’ own artistry and solidifies her position as a prominent figure in the music industry.
Dua Lipa is also featured on the album, bringing her own modern twist with ’80s and disco influences in her hits like “Don’t Start Now” and “Break My Heart.” This blend of classic and contemporary artists sets the stage for Cyrus to explore different directions on the album, which she does so freely.
The album revolves around themes of heartbreak and finding self-worth through others’ opinions. Songs like “High,” “Hate Me,” and “Never Be Me” strike a balance between the importance Cyrus puts on others’ views of her and her own insecurities. Tracks like “Golden G String,” “Bad Karma,” and “Night Crawling” delve into the emptiness of her public persona and her attempts to replace pain with pleasure. It’s a new level of intensity in Cyrus’ work, showcasing her anger and self-discovery in this post-relationship phase of her life.
This reinvention of Miley Cyrus as a rock artist on her latest album also highlights the double standards faced by female musicians in the industry. Taylor Swift also addressed these unfair expectations placed on women in her 2020 Netflix documentary, Miss Americana.
In the documentary, Swift expressed, “Female artists have to constantly reinvent themselves much more than male artists…otherwise, you’ll be out of a job.”
Plastic Hearts may be a reinvention, but it perfectly reflects Cyrus’ current position in life. Rock music seems tailor-made for Cyrus, and she proves that she was meant to take on the genre with her unique style and sound.
