Miley Cyrus' Musical Evolution: From Bangerz to Plastic Hearts

In August of this year, Miley Cyrus released 'Midnight Sky,' a disco track that addressed her divorce and subsequent high-profile flings in a surprisingly mature way. This marked a new direction for the singer, who had previously experimented with different sounds and styles.

Before releasing 'Midnight Sky,' Cyrus reset her musical path, scrapping two unreleased EPs and pursuing a darker, classic rock-indebted sound. Unfortunately, both projects were commercial failures and failed to revive her career.

Cyrus' life was upended when the Woolsey wildfire destroyed most of her new album, and she ended her decade-long relationship with actor Liam Hemsworth in a messy divorce. In response, Cyrus pivoted back to country-pop with the dull Younger Now album before returning to her rap roots on the 2019 EP She Is Coming.

The trilogy that followed was marked by a lack of explanation or contrition from Cyrus, who seemed to be trying to outrun her past as quickly as possible. Focus exclusively on the drama surrounding Cyrus' career and it's easy to forget that the three-year period following Bangerz and Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz was one of the most intriguingly bizarre pop eras of the decade.

During this time, Cyrus threw a spanner into the commercial landscape with her experimental approach, making discourse around thoughtless co-opting of Black art accessible to a new generation of pop fans. Although her musical projects have rarely been good, a few have been historically significant.

Now, with the release of Plastic Hearts, Cyrus is back to her roots, embracing her rock influences and delivering a raw, emotional album that showcases her growth as an artist. The ukulele-driven track 'Plastic Hearts' is just one example of this new direction, offering a glimpse into Cyrus' future plans and ambitions.

With Plastic Hearts, Cyrus proves that even the most unlikely artists can evolve and grow over time, delivering a unique sound that is both personal and relatable.

Plastic hearts ukulele