Starting with Miley Cyrus‘ dramatic transformation in sound, style, and behavior during the 2013 Bangerz period, she’s been closely scrutinized among the chattering classes of pop music. After all, the fluffy ‘Party in the USA’ from 2009 was what people expected of the former Hannah Montana star, and the press delighted at her fumbling teeny bopper-confirming answers to gotcha questions like ‘What’s your favorite Jay-Z song?’ Anything more mature and artistic was deemed inappropriate for her young fanbase or desperate attempts to veer from her lane. Pretentious gatekeepers of “good music” (read: anything but pop) forbade her to grow as an artist.
But grow she did with every successive record. “Endless Summer Vacation,” her 10th studio album, is a testament to her staying power and is mighty FU to those who resent that her 15 minutes of fame shows no sign of abating after over a decade in the spotlight.
During her career, Cyrus, now 30 years old, has experienced a lot – from having her personal life exposed for all to see after divorcing actor Liam Hemsworth and telling the world about her struggles with sobriety. She also made a genre-defying album containing iconic collaborations with rock stars like Billy Idol, Stevie Nicks, and Joan Jett.
While that album Plastic Hearts may have marked Cyrus’ artistic rebirth, her most recent release, Endless Summer Vacation, has gained critical acclaim. At the same time, the collection’s lead single, “Flowers” has reached the top of various music charts. The song is one of the project’s highlights and is about taking responsibility for one’s actions after a painful breakup.
The second track on the album, “Jaded,” is also a standout where she confronts the pain of infidelity head-on. With lyrics such as, “I’m sorry that you’re jaded / I could’ve taken you places / You’re lonely now and I hate it / I’m sorry that you’re jaded,” she’s refusing to take the blame for her partner’s mistakes as so many women do. She’s painting a picture of a woman – her – who’s standing up for herself and not letting her partner control her emotions. It’s a powerful message that’s sure to resonate with many listeners.
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Cyrus has said that her album can be divided into two sides, with the first five tracks representing the morning while the last eight representing the evening. Throughout the album, you can hear these themes, and they are clear as the album opens bright and hopeful, like summer’s beginning, but then changes into a dark, energetic synth-pop fantasy, both of which Cyrus has shown before in previous albums.
“Thousand Miles” is like a sequel to “Maybe You’re Right,” a song about healing from Cyrus’ fourth album, Bangerz.
“You think I’m crazy, you might be right,” she sings in the opening verse, continuing with: “I’m out of my mind, but still, I’m holding on like a rolling stone.”
Cyrus sang about the same fear in 2013: “You might think I’m crazy / That I’m lost and foolish leaving you behind / Maybe you’re right.”
The song is a stunning expression of self-reflection, as though she is watching her 20-year-old self in the mirror. For Cyrus, whose love approach is fluid and open, it’s particularly touching, and inviting Brandi Carlile – who is similarly queer and shares a country music background – to join her was a brilliant move.
Cyrus says “Thousand Miles” was written after one of her close friends lost her sister to suicide, and she couldn’t imagine living without her younger sister, who inspired her to write the song.
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The song, she continued, is about “happiness and sisterhood.”
“Muddy Feet,” a collaboration with Sia, is a savage takedown of a cheating ex. : “You smell like perfume that I didn’t purchase / Now I know why you’ve been closing the curtains / Get the fuck out of my house.” Cyrus’ voice gives the song a powerful edge, especially with her vicious lyrics.
“Handstand” is the most impressive song on the album, a club banger reminiscent of Bangerz.
“River” has a throwback 80s sound and celebrates falling in love again and all the intimacy and excitement of a new relationship.
The album ends on a sentimental but empowering note with “Wonder Woman,” a song about being in the spotlight and dealing with its emotional toll. Cyrus wishes to make listeners aware of the media’s impact on artists and their mental health.
In Endless Summer Vacation, Miley Cyrus isn’t afraid to sing openly about sex and love, proving her versatility as an artist. From synth-pop fantasies to country-pop throwbacks, Cyrus brings many musical styles to the table. Her powerful lyrics and voice bring emotional intensity and vulnerability, inviting listeners into her world. Endless Summer Vacation is an impressive album showcasing Cyrus’ talent and will surely be remembered for years.
