Empoword Journalism

‘Something Beautiful’ by Miley Cyrus – Review

EveHutchinson
Miley Cyrus posing for a picture.

Eve Hutchinson

Miley Cyrus released her ninth studio album Something Beautiful on 30th May 2025. Cyrus is a household name who has defined her two-decade career with musical experimentation, pushing the boundaries of her artistry, public image and chart domination.

Daughter of American singer Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus catapulted to fame after starring as the lead role in Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana between 2006 and 2011, establishing herself as a teen icon.

Keen to move away from the polished Disney aesthetic, Cyrus drew public attention through the notoriously controversial ‘Wrecking Ball’ video in 2013 and later transitioned into rock-inspired anthems like ‘Prisoner’ and ‘Angels Like You’ on her seventh studio album, Plastic Hearts.

Recently, Cyrus achieved a global hit with her lead single ‘Flowers’ from Endless Summer Vacation. ‘Flowers’ was the best-selling world single of 2023 and won Record of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2024 Grammys.

On Something Beautiful, Cyrus shifts from a pure pop, commercially appealing record to an album with an existential, ethereal mood. Plus, an outlook grounded in the cinematic and abstract.

Made up of 13 tracks including a prelude and two intervals, Something Beautiful is an ambitious, philosophical project with a clearly defined mission statement. However, its sentiment and aesthetic do not always match its musical choices.

‘Prelude’ On Something Beautiful 

Starting off, Cyrus sets up the scope of her album by commencing Something Beautiful with a spoken word monologue against an electronic instrumental, laden with metaphors and similes.

Some of the images included are stark and vivid: “like when holding a fist full of ashes your hands can’t save the things that have already been dissolved into air”. However, others are slightly clunky and awkwardly phrased: “like when facing the sun thru a window your skin feels warmth but you can’t be in the world that its warmth has made alive”.

Additionally, the concluding phrase: “But the beauty one finds alone is a prayer that longs to be shared” succinctly opens up the conversations around loss, heartbreak, love and renewal.

Tracks 1-7 On Something Beautiful 

Moving on to the songs, the album transitions into the titular track with a jazz-inspired production blending elements of soul and an explosion of heavy guitar riffs that add to the experimental, genre-bending feel of the record. It is a sensual declaration of erotic devotion to a lover leaving immediate impact.

‘End of the World’ is a softer, more traditional pop song which celebrates life’s highlights and luxuries despite impending doom. It is made up of the catchy hook “Let’s pretend it’s not the end” and imagery of Mercedes Benz, throwing a party like McCartney and going to Malibu. The perfect way to mark the inevitable apocalypse.

In ‘More to Lose’, Cyrus returns to her ballad roots. She explores the ending of an on-off relationship likely inspired by her divorce from Australian film star Liam Hemsworth. Cyrus’ vocals are emotionally affecting, raw and moving, showing off her soaring vocals.

“But by making Something Beautiful, Cyrus demonstrates that she wants to keep evolving.”

The interludes during these sections feel like a slightly unnecessary addition which do not add anything more to the storytelling or sonic range of the album.

‘Easy Lover’ feels like it should belong on Endless Summer Vacation, leaning back into synth pop and soft rock with a dash of blues. After all, the song examines the difficulties of navigating a difficult yet magnetising romantic partner and showcases Cyrus’s heartfelt delivery.

Tracks 8-13 on Something Beautiful 

The second half of Something Beautiful does not reach the heights of its opening section. While Cyrus still delivers beautiful vocals and adventurous production, the cohesion falls away and the album loses its transgressive, experimental intent.

“While not always cohesively and consistently matching visuals and sonic composition, this album will undoubtedly become a fan favourite because it is authentically Miley”

‘Golden Burning Sun’ is one of the strongest of the latter, half with clear, expressive storytelling, and with lyricism of a pledge of devotion to her partner.

Next, there is ‘Walk of Fame’, a disco, 70s-inspired number with Brittany Howard featuring on vocals, showcasing Cyrus’s innate stardom.

‘Pretend You’re God’ is Cyrus’s attempt to elicit an answer from a former lover, yearning for a past connection and resolution that they cannot find.

However, the unconventional cameo of British fashion model Naomi Campbell on ‘Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved’ feels out of place and does not add any substance to an overly long number.

The album’s concluding tracks ‘Reborn’ and ‘Give Me Love’ mark Cyrus’ regeneration after heartbreak and envisions an idyllic, Garden of Eden-esque world where she has finally found the “something beautiful” she has been searching for and can leave life fulfilled.

Summary

Following the massive commercial and critical success of Endless Summer Vacation with radio hits and six Grammy nominations, it would be tempting for Cyrus to stick to producing albums with guaranteed chart-toppers.

But by making Something Beautiful, Cyrus demonstrates that she wants to keep evolving. She is comfortable producing an album without an obvious radio sensation. While not always cohesively and consistently matching visuals and sonic composition, this album will undoubtedly become a fan favourite because it is authentically Miley – who has always been something beautiful.

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Featured image courtesy of Miley Cyrus on Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here. 

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