Miley Cyrus's "Something Beautiful": A Pop Spectacle Born from Pink Floyd's Influence
An LP that feels like a surreal and intense dream sequence. - Dream-like charm infused in a new record ♪
Miley Cyrus, the former Disney star, has taken her career to unconventional heights with her latest album, "Something Beautiful". This wild, ambitious piece of work would make her label executives sweat, such was its eccentricity. But Cyrus, with her newfound independence and self-expression, is buying her own roses - and her art is no exception.
Inspired by the legendary Pink Floyd, Cyrus aimed to create her own pop opera with a nod to "The Wall," but with a twist. "The vision was to do 'The Wall', but with better clothes, more glamorous, and full of pop culture," she revealed in an interview with "Harper's Bazaar." Rather than the heavy rock and somber tones of Pink Floyd, Cyrus envisioned disco beats, surreal Hollywood glam, and cinematic splendor. Depth, fashion, cinema, and pop culture all collide in this ambitious project.
Miley's Chameleonic Soundscape
Cyrus's musical ambitions are as diverse as her visuals. The opening track, filled with spoken-word text and instrumental sounds reminiscent of a Burtonesque Disney film, paves the way. It's not until the third song - the disco-tinged, chart-friendly "End of the World" - that Cyrus truly announces herself. But even in this song, her experimental spirit isn't absent.
The title track boasts soulful R&B and jazzy elements, while the poignant ballad "More To Lose" elicits big emotions. The two music videos - cinematic masterpieces with nostalgic vibes and extravagant costumes - serve as the perfect introduction to this new era of Miley Cyrus. The visually striking title track showcases her true potential, whereas "End of the World" raises questions about her agency in the song's video.
The ride only gets wilder from there. Tracks like "Interlude 1" and "Interlude 2" push the boundaries of conventional music, with experimental soundscapes that could easily belong in "Twin Peaks." Your ears may be assaulted by the engine noises in "Golden Burning Sun," but Cyrus's vocal performance holds it together.
A Pop Opera Between Chaos and Catchy Tunes
"Something Beautiful" is a rollercoaster ride between radio-friendly pop bombs and artistic statements aiming to appeal far beyond the charts. The latter half of the album sees Cyrus playing with futuristic retro sounds, as though lifted from 90s video games, old synthesizers, and classic "Star Trek" sound effects. This unique blend comes together spectacularly in "Walk of Fame," an epic finale that effortlessly balances earworm potential with emotion and excess.
The craziest part? For Cyrus, the entire album is just "one single song." Perhaps the accompanying film - a one-night-only event on June 27th - will weave together this diverse collection of sounds and visuals into a cohesive narrative. But perhaps, as Cyrus herself suggests, "I want to be a human psychedelic for people. [...] I want to influence frequencies in your body that make you groove on another level."
- Miley Cyrus
- Pink Floyd
- Pink
- Opera
- Pop Culture
- Tim Burton
Further Insights:
Inspiration Behind "Something Beautiful"
Miley Cyrus's latest album finds its roots in Pink Floyd's "The Wall," serving as a source of inspiration in terms of themes and structure. However, the emancipated singer takes this concept in a more colorful and pop culture-infused direction. The album grapples with themes of transformation, healing, and discovering beauty in adversity.
The visuals accompanying the album draw from both "The Wall" and the horror film, "Mandy." Cyrus's intention was to create a 'pop opera fueled by fantasy' with intense emotional underpinnings, harnessing the power of music to heal. The album features collaborations with her musician boyfriend, Maxx Morando, and fashion icon, Naomi Campbell.
Unique Sound
"Something Beautiful" showcases Cyrus's experimental streak, with its '80s-inspired instrumentation and rhythm. The album is designed to provoke specific emotions and create a deeper connection with listeners by emphasizing particular frequencies in the music. The visual component, evident in the accompanying film, adds to the immersive experience, making it a true multi-sensory endeavor.
Comparison to Pink Floyd's "The Wall"
While "Something Beautiful" derives thematic and structural inspiration from "The Wall," it diverges significantly in style. "The Wall," a rock opera, delves into themes of isolation, mental health, and societal pressures with a somber and introspective tone. In contrast, "Something Beautiful" leans towards positivity, healing, and finding beauty in adversity, with its colorful aesthetic and disco-infused sound. Unlike "The Wall," which is characterized by darker themes and minimal visuals, "Something Beautiful" stands out for its vibrant cinematic elements and emphasis on celebrating imperfection.
- Miley Cyrus's pursuit of a 'pop opera' in her album "Something Beautiful" pays homage to Pink Floyd's "The Wall," but with an injection of color, glamour, and pop culture influence, as evidenced by her collaboration with Tim Burton-esque visuals.
- Pink Floyd's influence on "Something Beautiful" can be felt in its ambitious structure and thematic exploration of transformation and healing, but the emancipated Miley Cyrus ensures a distinctively colorful and upbeat take on these themes, making it a unique contribution to the realm of pop culture and entertainment.
