Younger Now is the Miley album I had hoped for, showcasing a
different artistic direction for her.
This is a stripped down version of Miley as opposed to the literally
stripped down Miley from previous albums.
It is a more reflective Miley than a provocative one. Don’t get me wrong, I have loved all
incarnations of Miley but I think this is a great album, despite some critics
labelling it as “safe” and “unauthentic”.
For me, an artist should be evolving and providing fans with something
different from their previous work while still retaining their unique sound,
the essence of what made them so good in the first place. In my opinion, Miley has done just that. It is a superb pop album with just the right
amount of country twang and listening to it makes me feel as though I’m sitting
in a bar in Nashville or Memphis. I am
also loving the Elvis-inspired bedazzled jumpsuits that Miley has worn to promote
the album. Because life is just better with
rhinestones.
Younger Now
In the title track and a nod to her own growth, both
personally and professionally, Miley explores the necessity of change (“a thing
you can count on”) as well as the laws of physics (“what goes up must come
down”). I loved the song from the
opening strumming of the guitar and it has secured a place on my favourite
songs of the year. The fabulous video,
featuring the aforementioned jumpsuit, elderly circus performers and Miley
dancing with a puppet, proves that she hasn’t lost the quirkiness that we’ve
come to love about her.
Malibu
This was the first single from the album and the one that had
me looking forward to what was to come from Miley. She sings about the beaches, blue skies and
beautiful sunshine of California with lovely harmonies that dominate many of
the tracks on the album. There are also
several awesome remixes of the track that make it even more dancefloor
friendly.
Rainbowland featuring Dolly Parton
The song starts and ends with a recorded voice message from
Dolly, Miley’s godmother, that makes me smile every time I hear it. This is hands down the most fun song on the
album. The lyrics may be a little cheesy
(“We are a rainbow / me and you / every color, every hue / let’s shine
through”), but I dare you to listen without nodding your head or tapping a foot. I feel that a rainbow is about to manifest each
time I hear it.
Week Without You
A poignant, slow tempo track in which Miley wonders what it would
be like to spend a week without someone who has put her through some shit,
opting to have a good time with her friends instead and to grab her “old blue
jeans” because she’s “sick of wearing the silly dress”.
I Miss You So Much
A beautiful acoustic track with smooth harmonies that deals
with the nature of romantic devotion: “You’re my God, you’re my faith / on my
knees, I look at you and I revere”.
I Would Die For You
The theme of the pain of love and devotion is carried
through to I Would Die For You, another ballad that showcases Miley’s softer
side: “I am yours and you are mine / I have your heart, I don’t even need a
ring / I’d give up all I have in exchange for who I love more than
anything”.
Thinkin’
In addition to the singles from the album, this is one of my
favourites. It has more of a dance feel
to it than some of the other tracks and the repetition of certain words makes
for a very catchy chorus.
Bad Mood
The beginning of Bad Mood is a little uneventful but then a
folksy drum beat kicks in as the chorus starts.
Love Someone
This is assertive Miley at her best, a self-empowerment
anthem in which she makes it clear that she is unwilling to put up with someone
who simply takes without giving: “I said nothing’s really worth it unless
you’re having fun / To make somebody stay, you gotta love someone”.
She’s Not Him
I am a little unsure about the meaning of the lyrics, which seem
to suggest a tryst with a beautiful woman (“there’s no other girl that looks
like ya darlin’”) but this woman can’t replace the man who has Miley’s
heart: “No matter what you do / I just
can’t fall in love with you / You’re not him”.
Inspired
Inspired was released as a promotional single, debuted at
the One Love Manchester benefit concert. Its release also coincided with the celebration of
Pride month earlier this year which is why the artwork for the single features Miley in a rainbow-striped sweater. The song outlines Miley’s hopes and fears for the
future against a backdrop of soaring strings.
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