Plastic Hearts

In honor of Miley Cyrus’ eighth studio album being set to release this March, let’s take a look back at her seventh and what I believe to be her most extraordinary piece of work to date. With features from the likes of Billy Idol, Stevie Nicks and Joan Jett plus mentions of “California Dreaming” and even samples of Olivia Newton-John, the “Plastic Hearts” album proves the old soul Cyrus truly is. So, let’s break down some of my favorite tracks!

WTF Do I Know

The opening track "WTF Do I Know" was described by British Vogue as "a galloping rock stomper that recalls the stop-start rhythm of The Strokes with a tinge of glam rock". And People magazine described its lyrics as "Cyrus singing about the uncertainty of life” and a nod to her marriage ending. For me, it’s a tune I like to put on when I get ready for a night out. Who knows what’s going to happen next, I just want to have some fun.

Prisoner (Feat. Dua Lipa)

The ‘Prisoner’ music video makes references to films “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Female Trouble.” The song features singer Dua Lipa and she and Miley are the pairing we didn't know we needed. Lipa’s smooth vocals mix flawlessly with Cyrus’ raspy rock sound. The song also interpolates Olivia Newton-John’s 1981 hit ‘Physical’. Plastic Hearts as a whole, is an album reminiscent of that 80s sound. NME called 'Prisoner' a heartbreak anthem.

Bad Karma (Feat. Joan Jett)

‘Bad Karma’ features Joan Jett on vocals and Angel Olsen on guitar. One of the most reminiscent of '80s hard rock songs on the album and my personal favorite. There’s something so simple and perfect about ‘Bad Karma’ that keeps me coming back for more. You don’t know where Miley's voice ends and Joan's begins…

Plastic Hearts

The chorus features the line “I’ve been California Dreamin’/Plastic hearts are bleedin’” referencing the classic Mamas and the Papas song. The first verse references the Château Marmont, a famous Hollywood hangout, where musicians of the 60s and 70s would be spotted and still are today. These subtle references prove that Miley is an old soul.

Night Crawling (Feat. Billy Idol)

The song features Idol on vocals, but you might not know that he and the late Taylor Hawkins (among others) helped write the tune.

Digital and vinyl editions include Cyrus covering the Cranberries song ‘Zombie’, a duet with Stevie Nicks (Midnight Sky - Live) and a Blondie cover (Heart of Glass - Live). Also, a writing shoutout is in store for collaborator, the incomporable Mark Ronson.

Overall, I believe it’s fair to say Cyrus' album broke boundaries, meshing modern and classic rock music and creating something we've never heard before. I can’t wait to see what her next album has in store for us!

First single is out this Friday, January 13.