Miley Cyrus is back—but not in the way you might expect.
Her latest album, Something Beautiful, just dropped, and while it doesn’t come with a guaranteed radio hit, it’s undeniably one of her most daring projects to date. If you’re expecting another Bangerz or Endless Summer Vacation, you might be surprised. This time around, Cyrus trades chart-ready hooks for artistic risk, crafting a sprawling, ambitious soundscape that resists easy categorization.
The album is accompanied by a film that premieres June 6 at the prestigious Tribeca Festival, with a U.S. release slated for June 12 and an international rollout on June 27. The project, described by Cyrus as a “pop opera,” promises not only music but a cinematic experience—another bold move from an artist who’s made a career out of doing things her own way.
A Decade of Reinvention
Since her bold transformation in 2013’s Bangerz, Miley Cyrus has continually reinvented herself. From her hip-hop-inspired era to glam rock, psychedelic adventures, and country roots, she’s proven again and again that she refuses to be boxed in. Each album has been a new chapter, sometimes jarring, sometimes genius, but always uniquely her.
Cyrus is not afraid to polarize. That much became clear during a private listening event in Los Angeles, where she previewed Something Beautiful and warned fans: “My next album is about to be extremely experimental, so have fun with that.”
She wasn’t kidding.
No Hit? No Problem
While her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation delivered the monster hit “Flowers,” earning her a Grammy and dominating airwaves, Something Beautiful takes a different route. There’s no obvious single here—no track designed purely for TikTok virality or Top 40 radio. Instead, the album is a layered, introspective exploration of sound and style.
That might disappoint listeners looking for another “Wrecking Ball” moment, but for fans who appreciate artistic growth, it’s a rich and rewarding listen.
What Does It Sound Like?
Something Beautiful feels more like an art project than a conventional pop album. It’s filled with long, elaborate arrangements and shifting sonic textures. The title track alone is a wild ride—starting off as a soulful groove before unraveling into a chaotic, confrontational climax.
Tracks like “More to Lose” lean into Cyrus’ talent for heartbreak ballads, while “Walk of Fame” blends disco glam à la Donna Summer with shimmering synths straight out of New Order’s playbook. You can hear echoes of Fleetwood Mac, Giorgio Moroder, even a bit of ABBA and Lady Gaga, but nothing feels derivative. It’s more like a love letter to her influences—filtered through her own unique lens.
Familiar Faces, Unexpected Sounds
Cyrus doesn’t go it alone. The album features a few surprising guests, including powerhouse vocalist Brittany Howard, who haunts the background of “Walk of Fame,” and none other than supermodel Naomi Campbell, who lends her voice to the pulsing, fashion-forward track “Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved.” Each collaboration adds a new layer to the album’s rich tapestry.
And yet, despite the shifting styles and star power, Cyrus remains the album’s anchor. She’s present in every note, every lyric. That consistency is what keeps the album from veering into chaos—it’s experimental, yes, but never aimless.
A Visual Feast: The Film Companion
True to her vision, Miley hasn’t stopped at audio. The companion film, premiering at Tribeca, adds a visual layer to the album. While she’s compared it to Pink Floyd’s The Wall, don’t expect a cohesive narrative. The film is more of a high-fashion fever dream, a series of music videos that mirror the album’s eclectic, dreamlike nature.
And yet, like the album, it feels personal. It’s as if Cyrus is opening up her creative diary and inviting us to flip through the pages.
Is It for Everyone?
Short answer: No.
But maybe that’s the point. Something Beautiful isn’t trying to please everyone. It doesn’t chase trends or algorithms. Instead, it dares to be weird, messy, and fully realized in its own way. It’s a record that demands your attention—and maybe even a few replays—before it fully clicks.
The album’s structure isn’t traditionally cohesive. The folk-inspired tracks in the first half feel worlds away from the electronic pulse of the second half. Some hooks don’t land immediately. But in a time when so much pop music is built to be consumed in 30-second snippets, Something Beautiful is a bold act of resistance.
Miley’s Not Playing the Game—And That’s Why She Wins
One of Miley Cyrus’ greatest strengths has always been her refusal to follow the rules. She doesn’t fit neatly into a genre, a trend, or even a pop star archetype. She doesn’t care if her music is playlist-friendly. That’s what makes her fascinating—and what makes her albums such a cultural event.
With Something Beautiful, she’s not chasing another hit. She’s painting a portrait of herself in motion—sometimes beautiful, sometimes messy, but always honest.
And maybe that’s the most powerful statement of all.