Miley Cyrus is making bold statements about her upcoming ninth album, “Something Beautiful.” The 32-year-old pop icon describes the project as more than just a concept album; she aims for it to serve as “an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music.” She promises the album will incorporate “healing sound properties” that are designed to impact listeners on a deeper, vibrational level. Accompanying the album will be a film touted as a “one-of-a-kind pop opera,” inspired by Alan Parker’s film adaptation of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” albeit with a glamorous twist.
While Cyrus’s label executives may feel nervous given her history of unconventional projects—most notably the unexpected direction from her hit album “Bangerz” to the sprawling “Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz”—there’s a sense that her audacious approach could yield fresh and intriguing results. She has a track record for releasing material that often defies initial expectations, as seen with her previous albums such as “Younger Now” and “Plastic Hearts.”
The visuals for the accompanying film display an array of extravagant imagery, with Cyrus showcasing her flair in various scenarios reminiscent of high-fashion aesthetics but lacking a coherent narrative—a far cry from the darker themes of “The Wall.” However, it seems intentional that this piece diverges from being a direct remake, appreciating the current cultural context.
Musically, “Something Beautiful” begins with a title track that hints at an old-school soul influence but soon shifts gears into something more contemporary and rock-influenced. The album traverses through various styles, from sparkling 80s pop to dance floor beats that draw inspiration from mid-80s hi-NRG. While Cyrus’s venture into reviving this sound is commendable, providing a fresh take on a genre that hasn’t been extensively explored in today’s music, it may not deliver the anticipated groundbreaking hit that fans expect.
Despite the lack of an immediate standout single, the album showcases Cyrus’s unique vocal power across a spectrum of well-crafted songs. While it might not fully align with her ambitious vision to elevate listeners’ vibrations, it provides an artistic platform for her expressiveness. The hope remains that “Something Beautiful” can resonate with audiences in unexpected ways, adding to the evolving narrative of her artistry.