Atwood Magazine's writers delve into Miley Cyrus' reflective and genre-blending ninth album, 'Something Beautiful' – which she describes as a musical cure for a "sick culture" – examining her unfiltered vocals, poetic lyrics, and courageous growth as an artist nearly two decades into her career. The contributors include Danielle Holian, Josh Weiner, and Lauren Turner.
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To begin, what is your connection to Miley Cyrus’ music?
Josh Weiner: Miley and I are roughly the same age (both born in 1992), so her career and artistic growth have largely paralleled my own development. I was aware of her back in her Hannah Montana days, mostly through my younger sister, who was a fan. I actively listened to her for the first time around 2013, during my final year of college, when Bangerz and its hit single “Wrecking Ball” were everywhere. Since then, I’ve remained open to her music, generally enjoying what I've heard.
Danielle Holian: Miley Cyrus was among the first artists who introduced me to music. I used to analyze her lyrics when I began songwriting. I adored the Hannah Montana soundtracks, and her breakthrough solo albums were incredible! The Can’t Be Tamed era really helped me through my high school years.
Lauren Turner: I grew up in the generation that experienced Hannah Montana on Disney Channel, so she is a key memory from my childhood. I’ve been a fan since I was 7. I feel like I grew up alongside Cyrus and have witnessed her evolution through every phase she’s embraced.
Miley Cyrus © Glen Luchford
What were your first impressions and reactions to Something Beautiful?
Josh: I really liked it! I thought it was an enjoyable and well-crafted album. I’m glad to see Miley Cyrus continuing to produce quality music after nearly 20 years in the industry.
Danielle: Something Beautiful feels like a return home; it has the familiar essence of Cyrus’ music while also feeling more timeless.
Lauren: Listening to Something Beautiful was quite an experience. It seems like this album is her way of fully displaying her artistry. Her voice has aged like fine wine, and her approach to music has become increasingly authentic. This album showcases her vocal talent and introduces a new sound while retaining her pop-infused roots. It truly embodies its title – something beautiful.
How does this album stack up against 2023's Endless Summer Vacation – what are the notable similarities and differences?
Josh: I’ll need to revisit Endless Summer Vacation thoroughly to answer this properly. However, from reviewing summaries, it seems that Endless Summer Vacation is labeled as “dance-pop,” while Something Beautiful is categorized as “progressive pop.” The albums also have different lead producers (Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson vs. Shawn Everett and Maxx Morando) and different themes (ESV represents the allure of sunny L.A., which certainly didn’t come to mind while listening to Something Beautiful).
Danielle: Endless Summer Vacation leans into bright dance-pop and radio-friendly production, with standout tracks like “Flowers” and “Jaded” capturing the glamour of Los Angeles. It’s a polished, accessible album centered on empowerment and self-renewal. In contrast, Something Beautiful explores more experimental terrain, embracing progressive pop with atmospheric layers and unpredictable structures, bearing a moodier and introspective tone. While ESV celebrates external change, Something Beautiful reflects inward, discussing emotional intricacy, personal reckoning, and spiritual vulnerability. Nonetheless, both albums highlight Miley Cyrus’ unmistakable vocal strength, characterized by a raspy, soulful, and emotionally rich quality. While ESV leans towards bold and direct hooks, Something Beautiful allows for more subtlety and exploration. Despite their stylistic contrasts, both albums showcase an artist unafraid to evolve and challenge the boundaries of pop on her own terms.
Lauren: I love how Danielle responded to this question and completely agree. I adore Endless Summer Vacation and would argue it's one of the best albums ever made and one of my personal favorites. As Danielle mentioned, Endless Summer Vacation was about self-renewal and empowerment. In that album, it felt like Cyrus was reintroducing herself. Something Beautiful dives even deeper into the themes presented in ESV, feeling like she’s giving us a glimpse into her innermost thoughts. She has stated in several interviews that Something Beautiful has taken years to create, reflecting her long-standing dedication to this work. To me, ESV was a declaration of, “Hey, I’m back, and this is who I am.” In contrast, Something Beautiful says, “Now that I have your attention, here’s a look into my mind and how beautifully it has evolved over the years.”
Miley Cyrus © Glen Luchford
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Atwood Magazine’s contributors explore Miley Cyrus’ reflective and genre-blurring ninth album ‘Something Beautiful’ – which she describes as a musical cure for a “sick culture.” They examine her powerful vocals, lyrical poetry, and bold evolution as an artist nearly twenty years into her career.