Not Like The Other Girls: Miley Cyrus
October 3, 2017
We need to talk about Miley Cyrus. In between acoustic covers of “See You Again” circulating twitter and her newest album drop this week, Miley has been making a comeback. Before we take a look at her newest work, let’s take a trip back 10 years.
The year is 2008, the economy is falling into disarray, Obama and McCain are running for president and Miley Cyrus is releasing her first album under her own name. Breakthrough gave us “See You AgainÛ, “7 things” and a cover of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Although I did not feel like I was “not like the other girls” when bopping Miley, I would be amiss to deny her influence on me. I still stand by “7 Things” as pure creative genius and it stands the test of time as an amazing break up song. Let’s not forget that every young girl should be reminded “Nobody’s Perfect” and I can’t push away the vivid memories of memorizing every single word to “Rockstar.” She was putting out straight bops as Hannah and Miley they dramatically increased my confidence at middle school dances.
It’s easy to be a vintage Miley fan, especially since millennials are desperate to hold onto any relic of their childhood. Since then, the world watched her grow up and evolve from the “Can’t Be TamedÛbirdcage music video, to the 2013 VMA performance with the human petri dish that is Robin Thicke, to the developed artist heard on Younger Now. Cyrus shocked everyone with the albums Can’t Be Tamed and Bangerz, and faced criticism as her image and music changed. Disney stars notoriously face this pushback when trying to transition into traditional music careers and Cyrus was no exception. Usually these career changes aren’t easy as artists are a product of a business that builds stars up and tears them down, only to build them up again.
Critics have gone as far to call her the “girl gone mild.”
Which is a sad yet relevant example of the double standards that women in the entertainment industry, and beyond, are held to. Other reviews state that Miley is still searching for her musical identity. I would hope so because girlfriend is literally only 24 years old. I myself am still searching for socks that I lost in the dryer last week. Although I did not get on national television and hump a foam finger in a flesh color latex suit, the sentiment of a rebellious teenage phase still rings true to most. It was around this time that I entered my own deviant stage of life, and traded in my Disney soundtracks for classic rock and indie pop. However it seems that Miley and I have finally meet again.
Back in 2017, Donald Trump is president, America faces the threat of nuclear war and Miley Cyrus has released her newest album. Younger Now showcases a more mentally and musically mature Cyrus, one that I loved watching grow up. My favorite track is easily “Rainbowland” featuring Dolly Parton. Not only did Dolly make appearances on Hannah Montana, but Miley’s 2012 cover of “Jolene” is one a of a few that can hold a candle to the original. Younger Now will definitely be a favorite for me this fall. Other honorable mentions include “I Would Die For You” and “Miss You Much.” I will fully admit my teenage bias towards Miley Cyrus; however, there is something to unique and special about watching a star grow up with you.
