Movies

ADRIAN THRILLS reviews Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful: Miley channels her inner Pink Flloyd for ambitious concept album

BBG News

MILEY CYRUS: Something Beautiful (Columbia)

Verdict: Fearless but flawed 

Miley Cyrus’ most recent album carries high expectations, as she describes it as a thematic work titled “Something Beautiful.” This work delves into ideas about healing, change, and discovering beauty in difficult times. According to Miley, the album is an effort to heal a troubled society using music as the remedy.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share that this creation seems to have been inspired by Pink Floyd’s 1979 rock opera, “The Wall,” and Alan Parker’s 1982 film adaptation of the same name. Not only does the album carry this influence, but it also comes accompanied by a full-length promotional film, adding another layer to its captivating storytelling.

The beginning features an overture called Prelude, where Cyrus speaks a few lines about a train voyage during which far-off sceneries seem to vanish in the distance.

Later, two clattering instrumental interludes disrupt the flow.

She came in like a wrecking ball. Is she now giving us her free-form jazz odyssey? Not quite.

Occasionally, this 32-year-old exceeds typical boundaries for a well-known celebrity.

But, aside from a handful of songs addressing an uncertain romance, there’s no real concept here. 

Something Beautiful is essentially a slick pop record with extra bells and whistles.

Similar to how Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo leveraged their comprehensive entertainment education from Disney, Miley has utilized it to kickstart her music career.

Initially, she gained recognition for portraying the fictitious pop star Hannah Montana in a TV show sharing the same name. However, she has evolved into a vocalist with a gravelly tone and broad vocal range.

Born in Tennessee, daughter of renowned country artist Billy Ray Cyrus, and goddaughter to the legendary Dolly Parton, she exhibits a unique Nashville accent in her singing, and once momentarily ventured into the realm of country music on her 2017 album Younger Now.

Something Beautiful exhibits a less structured blend of various genres, occasionally veering unexpectedly. While it boasts some powerful scenes, there’s also quite a bit of material that doesn’t seem crucial to the overall story.

The top songs are usually released ahead of time. With a hint of Stevie Nicks’ gravelly tone, “More To Lose” is a sorrowful love ballad. The main theme is a soulful track that loses some of its charm due to overpowering guitars.

Reimagining a piano melody akin to Abba’s “Dancing Queen,” “End Of The World” features Miley Cyrus attempting to alleviate hardships through organizing a celebration, much like the style of a Paul McCartney-esque party.

This particular song stands out as a notable highlight, not surrounded by many upbeat tracks, on the album. However, the latter part tends towards predictable dance tunes.

In a lively homage to the 1980s electro-pop era, the song “Walk Of Fame,” featuring the vocalist Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes, presents a delightful blend of styles.

Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved contains a spoken-word cameo from Naomi Campbell.

The enchanting ballad “Golden Burning Sun” is reminiscent of the softer rock genre from the 1970s, which significantly contributed to Harry Styles’ rise to stardom.

Although Miley’s music may be presented with grand claims and album covers featuring her in vintage Thierry Mugler attire, none of her subsequent releases, such as Wrecking Ball (2013), Midnight Sky (2020), or Flowers (2023) – which won two Grammys – are as unforgettable as these.

But you can’t accuse her of lacking ambition.

 

LITTLE SIMZ: Lotus (AWAL)

The BRIT award-winning London rapper offers a diverse blend of sounds on her sixth album, incorporating Latin beats, Afrobeats, and catchy funk tunes. She infuses the record with a touch of playfulness, complementing her deep, introspective narratives.

Collaborating with a new producer named Miles Clinton James, along with Adele’s string arranger, Rosie Danvers, she pays tribute to Amy Winehouse in a humorous local sketch titled “Young,” and sings honestly about loneliness on the piano-driven song called “Lonely.

Michael Kiwanuka supplies intricate guitar on the title track. 

 

CYNTHIA ERIVO: I Forgive You (Verve)

On her second solo album, the actress who was nominated for an Oscar for Wicked aims to expand her resume by incorporating “pop star” and “songwriter” roles, in addition to her already impressive list of accomplishments.

As a devoted admirer, I’d express it this way: Blending the depth of soul and R&B with my foundation in musical theater, I proudly showcase my powerful vocals at the forefront.

The story unfolds across four distinct acts, each capturing a developing connection. It initially presents somber melodies, but later transitions into lighter, sultry rhythms reminiscent of bossa nova known as “She Said.

The trip-hop flavoured What You Want reiterates her range and power. 

Read More

2025-06-06 03:51

Previous post EUR CHF PREDICTION
Next post EUR HUF PREDICTION