If there’s one thing we know about Miley Cyrus, it’s to expect the unexpected, and her latest album was no exception.
“Endless Summer Vacation,” Miley Cyrus’ eighth studio album that was released on March 10, is the breakup album no one was expecting.
The album, which is supposedly about the recent tumultuous divorce between Cyrus and ex-husband Liam Hemsworth, encapsulates acceptance and empowerment at the end of a relationship. While each track speaks to a different feeling one might experience after a breakup, the emotions conveyed through this album aren’t as visceral and raw as they would be in a typical breakup album. Instead, Cyrus writes more reflectively and takes a mature, detached perspective. As a result, “Endless Summer Vacation” is a surprisingly subdued album in comparison to her others.
In a video posted on Cyrus’ Twitter, she described the tracklist as being split into an “A.M.” and a “P.M.” section. While the first half of the album represents the endless possibilities of a new day, the latter half depicts the simultaneous “grime and glamor” of the night, Cyrus said. This contrast is conveyed very effectively; the beginning of the album feels like the start of an early morning road trip, while later songs feel like ending the night on the floor of a club.
Each track on “Endless Summer Vacation” has its own distinct sound and transports the audience to a specific atmosphere. Cyrus accomplishes this through her lyrics’ visual imagery and the vastly different production styles of each track. Some songs are reminiscent of Cyrus’ “Disney Channel” roots; others are more in line with her recent punk rock sound. While the album overall would be considered pop, Cyrus’ phenomenal vocals set “Endless Summer Vacation” apart from other pop breakup albums.
Don’t get me wrong: The album is far from revolutionary, sonically or lyrically. Cyrus invokes powerful images at times, but her lyrics are often repetitive and littered with clichés. While the songs are catchy, each sounds vaguely like something you’ve heard before but can’t quite place. Nevertheless, the album is undeniably a fun listen, and much of this can be attributed to Cyrus’ one-of-a-kind vocals.
Throughout her versatile music career — whether it be country, pop, rock or some combination of the three — Cyrus has always had a distinct sound. Her subtle rasp coupled with her powerful belt makes her voice instantly recognizable and gives her the ability to convey a versatile range of emotions. Her vocals are full of angst on tracks like “Muddy Feet” and “Wildcard,” whereas they are filled with soul on others like the piano ballad “Wonder Woman.”
“Endless Summer Vacation” explores the concept of loneliness and freedom being two sides of the same coin. In one of the most revealing tracks on the album, “Island,” Cyrus sings about the duality of separating from a former lover.
“Am I stranded on an island,” she sings, “or have I landed in paradise?”
While the rhyme is corny, Cyrus’ analysis of her breakup as initially isolating but ultimately freeing shows a profound level of growth and maturity. It paints the album as a celebration of Cyrus’ rediscovering herself after the breakup, as opposed to a middle finger to her ex.
One of the best choices on the album was beginning with the lead single, “Flowers,” which was released in January, and ending with “Flowers (Demo).” While the fully produced version assumes an “I’m a badass and I know it” tone, the understated demo sounds like Cyrus trying to remind herself that she is, in fact, the strong, bold, powerful woman she once knew herself to be.
With an array of songs covering a wide range of emotions, “Endless Summer Vacation” hits all the right spots. From beginning to end, the album is compelling and shows us that healing isn’t always a linear path.
Edited by Egan Ward | eward@themaneater.comCopy edited by Sam Barrett and Lauren Courtney