Single Review | Miley Cyrus | 'Younger Now' (2017)

source: rca & tumblr

Miley Cyrus has released her latest single – accompanied by a stunning music video –  much to everyone’s surprise, giving a taster of what’s to come with her now-named sixth-studio album, Younger Now.

The title track of the upcoming record, ‘Younger Now’ encapsulates Cyrus’ frame of mind stepping out of the shadow of her last two records; Bangerz (2013) and Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz (2015). The promotional material and antics of Cyrus when touring these two records became controversial, and Cyrus began to open up about her recreational use of weed and constantly being stoned. Tied with the release of the first single ‘Malibu’ from Younger Now, she stated to Jimmy Fallon that she quit smoking weed after being constantly stoned when appearing on his show:

“Remember the last time I was here I think I was dressed as a bunny rabbit and then like a cat? There’s a reason for that. I was high.

“… I stopped smoking because, y’know, to sit here and to talk about what I’m doing, I wanted to be really clear because I’m actually the most passionate about what I’m doing with this record than I’ve been. I say this every time but I loved making this record so, so much and this record for me, at this moment, is the most important album that I’ve ever made. So, I wanted to make sure that I’m super clear about the way I’m talking.”

It was obvious with the release of ‘Malibu’ that Cyrus had found her true calling and became happy within herself. She’s found her true-self again, and its heart-warming to see. As she sings in the opening lines of ‘Younger Now’, (Feels like I just woke up / Like all this time I’ve been asleep / Even though it’s not who I am / I’m not afraid of who I used to be) Cyrus is comfortable with who she was and who she is now. It’s something we all deal with growing up, but Cyrus had to deal with it in the limelight and through media scrutiny.

The stripped back style in the music video for ‘Malibu’ was an obvious demonstration of Cyrus’ evolution, and ‘Younger Now’ is no different. There is a clear yearning for nostalgia throughout both the song and the music video, evoking Cyrus’ inspirations and roots through an Americana dreamscape directed by Diamond Martel and co-directed by Cyrus herself.

This nostalgic-tinted, 50s paradise demonstrates Cyrus’ love for Elvis Presley and her Tennessee roots, giving her two latest singles an aura of sincerity and love that hasn’t been seen since the Backyard Sessions in 2012.

Younger Now is set for release on September 29, 2017 via RCA.