Miley Cyrus, Plastic Hearts | Album Review 💿

With her seventh studio album, Plastic Hearts, Grammy-nominated pop standout Miley Cyrus releases her best album in years. 

Four words: 🎙 Miley Cyrus is back! No, Cyrus didn’t really go anywhere, but she’s not been ‘on her game’ for years per se.  After successfully (if controversially) embracing R&B and hip-hop on BANGERZ in 2013, things have been questionable. 💿 Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz (2015) received its fair share of criticism, while 💿 Younger Now (2017) wasn’t a particularly exciting about face. Throw in the very meh 💿 She is Coming (EP) in 2019, and things haven’t been so hot. Nonetheless, with 💿 Plastic Hearts, Cyrus definitely gets back on track with an enjoyable, fun pop album that embraces 80s pop/rock. This is easily her best album in years.

“WTF Do I Know”

If there was any doubt that Miley Cyrus had been tamed, well, ✅🎵 “WTF Do I Know” shuts that down early on.  Even beyond the obvious f-bomb that graces the chorus, Cyrus comes out swinging.  A prime example: “I’m completely naked but I’m makin’ it fashion.” Remember the “Wrecking Ball” music video? Also, she references her breakup with Liam Hemsworth.  Of course, the big takeaway is her addressing the criticism and skepticism she’s taken over the years. She definitely bites back on this aggressive opener produced by 🎙 Louis Bell and 🎙Watt!

“I’ve been California dreamin’ / Plastic hearts are bleedin’ / Keep me up all night (Keep me up) / Keep me up all night (All night).” Cyrus keeps on rocking on ✅🎵 “Plastic Hearts,” where everything seems to be superficial – plastic – as opposed to real.  The pre-chorus and of course, the aforementioned chorus highlight the temporary high only to ultimately be disappointed.  Like so many musicians, California once more gets a negative connotation for being a letdown despite having big dreams when going in. Plastic Hearts doesn’t cede any momentum on 🎵 “Angels Like You,” a powerful ballad where she balances finesse, tenderness, and those untamable, cutting, gritty vocals. 

“Prisoner”

“Prisoner, prisoner, locked up / Can’t get you off my mind, off my mind / Lord knows I tried a million times, million times, oh-woah / Why can’t you, why can’t you just let me go?” On ✅ 🎵 “Prisoner” Miley Cyrus taps 🎙 Dua Lipa for the assist. Cyrus is turned up, assertive, and again, gritty.  Likewise, Lipa has a dynamic, cutting voice, with the ability to deliver rousing performances with incredible nuance. Lipa takes the lead on the first verse while Cyrus reclaims the reins on the pre-chorus, splitting the energetic, memorable chorus with Dua. Then, roles flip flop with Cyrus taking the second verse, Lipa singing most of the pre-chorus, and Cyrus leading much of that unforgettable chorus. Besides strong, passionate vocals (“I tasted Heaven, now I can’t live without it / I can’t forget you and your love is the loudest”), Cyrus and Lipa get sweet production work courtesy of 🎙 The Monsters & Strangerz and watt.  Ultimately, Cyrus and Lipa ‘do the damn thing.’  Add passionate lyrics, a minor key, and excellent production and “Prisoner” is a certified bop.

Following up “Prisoner” is a tall task, but the bops just keep on coming for Miley Cyrus. ✅ 🎵 “Gimme What I Want” embraces more of a synthpop vein. It’s short at just two-and-a-half minutes in duration but utterly sweet, particularly the production and the chorus.  The rock returns full throttle on the unlikely 🎙 Billy Idol collaboration, ✅ 🎵 “Night Crawling.” Obviously with Idol as the featured guest, Cyrus fully embraces the 1980s in all of its over-the-top glory.  Again, definitely NOT the collaboration that first comes to mind, but it works out superbly.

“Midnight Sky” 

“The midnight sky is the road I’m takin’ / Head high up in the clouds (Oh, oh).”  ✅ 🎵 “Midnight Sky” finds the talented Cyrus showing off sheer superstar power – it’s the crowning achievement of Plastic Hearts.  All boxes are checked off on this surefire highlight, written and produced by some of the best in the game. Notably, “Midnight Sky” samples “Edge of Seventeen” by 🎙 Stevie Nicks, which is nothing short of an awesome choice.  Obviously, the sample alone signals another about face for Miley: ‘disco-pop.’ Most importantly, “Midnight Sky” features aggressive, assertive vocals from Cyrus.  Her instrument has always been her best weapon; she has a distinct, cutting, powerful voice. She uses her vocals to command this fresh, yet retro dance/disco pop number. Her most passionate vocals arrive on the centerpiece, the chorus.

Again, after such a triumph, something has to follow it up.  The good news is there’s no reason not to be ‘high’ on 🎵 “High.” “High” gives Cyrus another opportunity to show some tenderness before she unleashes those beastly, high powered pipes that ascend to the next level.  “High” is a change of pace within Plastic Hearts, embracing more of a folky pop/rock sensibility.  Following her ‘high,’ we get the briefer 🎵 “Hate Me,” a respectable cut but not the most moving from the album. Still, the vocals continue to pack a mighty punch, particularly on the chorus.  

“Bad Karma” 

Another unlikely collaboration goes down on 🎵 “Bad Karma” featuring 🎙 Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. Once more, it’s an unexpected success.  I mean, bringing the “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” singer is just further confirmation of Cyrus’ embrace of all things 80s.  It’s definitely fun, even more so given the ‘salty’ language (“I don’t give a fuck, I don’t believe in luck

That’s why I do what I wanna do, yeah”).  If f-bombs of “Bad Karma” aren’t your cup of tea, you might enjoy the balladry of 🎵 “Never Be Me” more.  It marks another moment where we get a strong vocal from Cyrus. We get another lovely ballad with 🎵 “Golden G String.”  Both have their selling points (the production in particular) though arguably “Never Be Me” feels truest to the 80s vibe.

“Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)”

The closing trio from Plastic Hearts includes a remix and two covers, all of which are vintage. The best of the bunch is ✅ 🎵 “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)” featuring 🎙 Stevie Nicks.  Honestly, this was destined to happen given the fact that “Midnight Sky” samples the Nicks classic, “Edge of Seventeen”. This mashup works perfectly and definitely suits Cyrus.  Had Plastic Hearts concluded with “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix),” it would’ve been sufficient.

Beyond the mashup, however, we do get those two covers.  The first is 🎵 “Heart of Glass (Live from the iHeart Festival),” where Miley Cyrus definitely does 🎙 Blondie justice.  Cyrus has both the voice and personality to deliver this beloved 1978 hit.  While “Zombie” will forever be naan untouchable classic by 🎙 The Cranberries (R.I.P. Delores O’Riordan), I love the energy, grit, and passion that Cyrus brings on ✅ 🎵 “Zombie (Live from the NIVA Save Our Stages Festival).” Sure, she isn’t able to channel the unique nuances that only Delores could achieve but she definitely compels to the nth degree.  Furthermore, she reminds you of your love of one of the greatest alternative rock gems of all time.

Final Thoughts 💭 

After falling short for a stretch of years, Miley Cyrus definitely gets back on track with Plastic Hearts.  While I’d argue her previous album, Younger Now was better than it’s given credit for, it lacked the oomph that Plastic Hearts brings consistently from start to finish. Cyrus’ decision to become an 80s queen definitely works out well for her.  We get a totally enjoyable, fun pop album that’s easily her best in years. 

✅ Gems 💎: “WTF Do I Know,” “Plastic Hearts,” “Prisoner,” “Gimme What I Want,” “Night Crawling,” “Midnight Sky,” “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)” & “Zombie (Live from the NIVA Save Our Stages Festival)”

🎙 Miley Cyrus • 💿 Plastic Hearts • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 11.27.20

[📷: RCA]