By Sathit Prasomsup
GENRE: Pop
LABEL: Columbia
REVIEWED: June 1, 2025
This album is an experimental pop journey, packed with surprises that only Miley can deliver.
Miley Cyrus has finally delivered a full body of work with her brand new album, “Something Beautiful.” Having touched on the first few singles previously, I’m thrilled to dive into the rest of this truly unique offering. This album is an experimental pop journey, packed with surprises that only Miley can deliver.
While I won’t be covering the initial tracks (“Prelude,” “Something Beautiful,” and “End of the World”), let’s kick things off with Track 4: “More to Lose.” This song is an absolute emotional powerhouse. It feels like something pulled straight from the climax or end credits of a movie, brimming with raw feeling. What strikes me most is its timeless and classic quality – a true testament to its potential longevity. While it may not be hitting the chart numbers we typically expect from Miley right now, I firmly believe this song will find its audience in the future.
My previous review of “Prelude,” “Something Beautiful,” and “End of the World“
Next up, we have Track 5: “Interlude 1.” This instrumental piece is exciting and refreshingly different from the preceding tracks. It acts as a perfect sonic palate cleanser, building anticipation for the rest of the album.
Track 6: “Easy Lover” is pure fun. It’s incredibly catchy and begs for a sing-along. I particularly loved the choreography Miley did for this song – it’s always a joy to see her embrace a different side of her artistry, even if she’s not typically known for dancing. However, I have to address the visuals for this album. While Miley mentioned in a Jimmy Kimmel interview that she spent her budget on clothes instead of production, it really shows. The music videos feel empty and stick to the same locations, lacking the “cinematic visuals” she promised. It’s a shame, as the fashion is on point, but the overall impact just isn’t there.
Track 7: “Interlude 2” is even more thrilling than the first, perfectly setting the stage for what’s to come. And what comes next is my absolute favorite from the album: Track 8: “Golden Burning Sun.” This song is pure Miley! It reminds me of the sound I fell in love with her for in the first place. It has that distinctive, raw, and authentic Miley feel that makes it stand out. “Golden Burning Sun” is, without a doubt, the strongest track on “Something Beautiful.”
Track 9, “Walk of Fame,” featuring Brittany Howard, is a lengthy one at six minutes, but it’s six minutes of pure, unadulterated fun and energy. This is a song destined for the club or a wild night out. It has a fantastic vibe that reminds me of “Violet Chemistry,” but with a more energetic and vibrant twist.
Track 10: “Pretend You’re God.” For any long-time Miley fan, this song immediately transports you back to 2015 and her “Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz” era. However, this feels like a refined, better version of anything she did in that album. While it’s enjoyable, it’s not a track I’ll be revisiting frequently.
Then we have Track 11: “Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved,” featuring Naomi Campbell. I was incredibly excited about this collaboration, especially since Naomi Campbell isn’t known for her singing. And the song delivers! It’s clearly made for the runway. The second half, in particular, with Naomi Campbell’s spoken-word delivery, is just for her. I can easily imagine this song playing in a studio or at a fashion show, energizing models and setting a fierce mood. It’s fun and incredibly fashionable, but like “Pretend You’re God,” it’s not a personal favorite for regular listening.
Moving on, Track 12: “Reborn” is another standout for me. I’m almost at a loss for words to describe how I feel about it. Miley’s vocals are simply incredible, and the production is flawless. This track, along with the closer, Track 13: “Give Me Love,” are my most revisited songs on the album. “Give Me Love” seems to be a universal favorite, and it’s definitely mine too.
Overall, “Something Beautiful” is a good album. While it hasn’t performed as expected on the charts, I can’t say I’m surprised. In today’s music landscape, dominated by easy-to-digest K-Pop and simple, catchy pop songs, “Something Beautiful” stands apart. It’s long, artistic, and feels like it belongs in a museum, a theater, or a cinematic experience rather than just a casual listen. Each song averages 4 to 6 minutes, which is quite long for a mainstream album and certainly not “easy to digest.”
Despite its chart performance, I personally adore this album. Compared to her last album, “Endless Summer Vacation” (2023), I find “Something Beautiful” to be a slightly stronger body of work. I truly hope Miley continues to surprise us with more projects like this in the future. I’ve even bought tickets to see her movie at the end of the month – even though it’s already on YouTube, I’m excited to experience it with other Smilers at Siam Paragon on June 27th! We’re going to party, dance, and fully immerse ourselves in the experience Miley wants us to have.
See you there!