“Week with You,” the fourth single released ahead of Younger Now, finds Miley Cyrus embracing a throwback country sound. 

A new Miley Cyrus album, Younger Now, arrives September 29.  This should be big news.  The problem is, it’s not as big as it could’ve been.  With Bangerz, her last proper studio album in 2013, the sense was that Cyrus had a huge hit on her hands. Indeed, Bangerz ended up being just that. Part of her success with that album was her unpredictable, bad girl behavior.  Twerking, swearing, the outfits, etc.  Now, as she prepares to release Younger Now, she’s become boring. After releasing three mixed singles (“Malibu,” “Inspired,” and “Younger Now”), she drops “Week Without You” a week in advance of Younger Now.

Like the teaser tracks preceding it, “Week Without You” is far removed from her unapologetic pop of the past.  But, we already knew this, and this is the fourth album single, not the first.  “Week Without You” is more energetic and intriguing than her previous singles from this cycle. Like “Younger Now,” it possesses a pronounced throwback quality.  In fact, it takes the throwback vibes – country throwback vibes to be exact – to the next level.  The sound isn’t the least bit mainstream, but it’s relatively successful.

The cons? Still a bit odd and not the most exciting thing you’ll hear.  Arguably, it can be asserted that Miley Cyrus has made it hard on herself. Here desire to experiment and ‘evolve’ artistically has made her less accessible to her audience.  Sure, she’s the musician, but “Week Without You” isn’t exactly a crowd-pleaser, even with the aforementioned virtues.  The ‘idea’ and cues of “Week” may be stronger than the finished product.

Final Thoughts 

Ugh.  C’mon Miley! Examined by itself, “Week Without You” is okay.  It’s not great, but it’s okay.  In the context of Younger Now, “Week Without You” does little to build excitement because it simply is NOT EXCITING!  The retro vibes are fine, but it’ll be shocking if Younger Now manages to turn around the narrative constructed pre-release.

Miley Cyrus • Younger Now • RCA • Release: 9.29.17 

Photo Credit: RCA