Even though Miley Cyrus is known for her bold and outspoken personality, her eighth studio album “Endless Summer Vacation” has arrived shrouded in mystery. The singer has been uncharacteristically quiet on social media since co-hosting a New Year’s Eve special with Dolly Parton, leaving fans wondering what to expect from her latest musical endeavour.
The lead single “Flowers”, however, provided a deeper glimpse into the themes explored on the album than we could’ve imagined. But while this first song we heard asserts her independence and recovery with the line “I can love me better than you can,” the album as a whole delves deeper into this process of self-discovery and rebuilding after her heartbreak.
On the dreamy “Rose Colored Lenses,” Cyrus nostalgically looks back on the best days of a relationship, while the fierce “Muddy Feet” featuring Sia on backing vocals, showcases Cyrus’ anger and fighting spirit as she confronts a cheating partner. The track is outstanding and completely riveting.
In “You,” a song that could very well be defined as a “pub ballad”, Cyrus sings about a rebound relationship and subtly rejects anything that might divert from the woman she truly has become with the line, “I am not made for no horsey and carriage.” On “Violet Chemistry,” a brilliant ’80s-influenced synth-pop track, Cyrus hints at her non-traditional approach to relationships, singing “May not be eternal but nocturnal, nothin’ more.”
Overall, “Endless Summer Vacation” is a messy, complex, and deeply personal album that showcases Cyrus’ growth and evolution as an artist. While it may not be as immediately accessible as some of her previous work, it rewards listeners who are willing to delve deeper into the themes and emotions explored on the record.
