Bangerz - Miley Cyrus Album Review
It is impossible to ignore Miley Cyrus' transformation of innocent Disney star to a sledgehammer licking, scantily dressed, twerking adult. It appears the uproar of Miley's provocative new image has suffocated the sound of her new album 'Bangerz.' Instead of reviewing her musical talent, the media are far too busy scrutinizing the morality of licking D.I.Y. tools. The truth is, Miley Cyrus is using her new found sexuality to promote her music but, scan through the top 100 charts and so is everyone else. Now, bring your eyes to the top of the chart and Cyrus is there, straddling the #1 position. Albeit, she's straddling it naked on top of a wrecking ball but since every other artist would take their kit off for a similar success, she must be doing something else right.
The opening track 'Adore You' is another heartache ballad that similarly, peacocks Miley's voice. The slow, stripped down, chorus shows beautiful vulnerability. However this begs the question where are the 'provocative pop songs' Sony promised to squeeze out of our beloved Hannah Montanna? This is where the problem arises.
'SMS Bangerz' is supposedly a Hip Hop/ pop song with a grows from backing vocals, her producer Mike Will. The track opens with Cyrus rapping in her pre-adolescent high pitched, Southern twangy voice. We are met with a strange sense of De-javu as Southern, Disney star turned bad girl Britney joins her predecessor, Miley. This results in overly autotuned references to money and 'strutting my stuff.'
'4x4' becomes a bit silly. The intention to shock the audience can only be humoured as Miley chants 'I'm a female rebel/ Can't you tell?/ Drivin so fast/ about to piss on myself.' The ridiculousness of the lyrics masks how horrible the hyper and repetitive music is. Her other songs include features with Ludacris, Nelly and Big Sean all focus more on repulsing mothers (and Sinead O'Connor) rather than creating a promising chart topper.It would be wrong to suggest that all Miley's attempts at Pop/ Hip-hop music are bad. The particularly catchy track on the 'Bangerz' album is #GETITRIGHT. Which does essentially, get it right. The cover of 'Stand By Me' named 'My Darlin' has is moments of genuis too.
In general, the album has no continuity. Lyrically, she seesaws between a desperate monologue about her ex-fiance and a desperate desire for sex. The juxtaposition just doesn't quite fit. Melodically there is little clue to a definite 'sound of Miley Cyrus.' The album although focuses on a pop/hip hop sound only seems to be praise worthy on the ballad songs. Although this album was produced with the intention to shock, the message we are supposed to be left open mouthed by is still unclear.
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I've absolutely no interest in Miley Cyrus or her music but this was a really interesting read. I know more about her than I do her music which is weird but you're right, she's been everywhere due to the media scrutiny for her newfound hyper sexed image. To be honest it sounds like she hasn't found herself musically or otherwise but that's what being young is about. Good for her that she's experimenting but the lack of one theme just highlights how much she hasn't found her niche. It might happen but the transition seems really forced and hasn't evolved naturally which might explain why this album is the way it is.
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