Miley Cyrus has never really been one for playing it safe, but her latest project is a whole different beast. Honestly, if you were expecting Flowers 2.0, you’re probably in for a bit of a shock.
The miley cyrus new cd titled Something Beautiful officially landed on May 30, 2025, and it’s basically a fever dream captured on a disc. It’s her ninth studio album, and it feels like the moment she finally stopped trying to fit into any specific radio format. She’s calling it a "visual album," which sounds fancy, but in reality, it’s just Miley being incredibly experimental.
The Sound of Something Beautiful
So, what does it actually sound like?
It's a trip.
Think Pink Floyd’s The Wall but with a massive budget for vintage Mugler outfits and a deep obsession with 1970s surrealism. She worked heavily with producer Shawn Everett, and you can hear his fingerprints everywhere—it's got that raw, slightly chaotic energy he brought to projects with Alabama Shakes.
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The tracklist is a weird, 13-song journey through "destruction, heartbreak, and death," which sounds depressing, but the music is surprisingly glamorous. It kicks off with "Prelude," which is basically a 2-minute existential spoken word piece over electronic static. Not exactly a TikTok dance anthem.
Key Tracks and Weird Collabs
- "Walk of Fame" (feat. Brittany Howard): This one is a standout. It’s got this heavy, soulful grit that only Brittany Howard can provide.
- "Every Girl You've Ever Loved" (feat. Naomi Campbell): Yeah, you read that right. Naomi Campbell is on the record. It’s more of a vibe-heavy fashion monologue than a traditional duet.
- "End of the World": This was the lead single back in April, and it’s the most "pop" thing on the album, though it’s still draped in post-apocalyptic distortion.
- "Easy Lover": A July single that leans into psych-rock and lounge music.
Miley has been very vocal about how her boyfriend, Maxx Morando (drummer for the band Liily), influenced the sound. He’s credited as a writer and producer on several tracks, including the title song. Apparently, he’s the one who introduced her to the "coolest kid in Brooklyn" music scene, and you can really hear that indie-sleaze influence creeping into the production.
Why the "Visual Album" Tag Actually Matters
Usually, when an artist says they made a visual album, it just means they filmed a few music videos in a row. Miley went further. She premiered a full-length film accompanying the miley cyrus new cd at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 6, 2025.
It doesn’t have a plot.
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It’s just textures, high fashion, and surrealism. She told Jimmy Kimmel that the "music is the story," which is a very artist thing to say, but if you watch the visuals directed by Jacob Bixenman, it actually makes sense. It’s about healing a "sick culture" through frequencies. Whether or not you buy into the "human psychedelic" thing she’s pitching, the craft is undeniable.
The Deluxe Era and Beyond
If 13 tracks weren't enough, the Something Beautiful (Deluxe) version dropped on September 19, 2025. This is where things get even more legendary. She managed to snag Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood for a track called "Secrets."
It’s basically a Fleetwood Mac reunion happening in the middle of a Miley Cyrus record.
She also teamed up with David Byrne for a song called "Lockdown." Getting the Talking Heads frontman and the core of Fleetwood Mac on the same deluxe edition is a flex that very few people in pop could pull off.
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What This Means for Miley’s Career
Critics have been a bit split. Metacritic has it sitting at a 71, which is "generally favorable," but some reviewers were annoyed by the lack of cohesion. But maybe that’s the point? Endless Summer Vacation was polished and Grammy-winning. Something Beautiful is messy and brave.
She’s already hinting that this album is just the "appetizer" for something even more "extremely experimental" coming in 2026. If she goes any further down the rabbit hole than this, we’re essentially looking at Miley becoming the modern-day David Bowie—constantly shedding skins before we even get used to the current one.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're just getting into the Something Beautiful era, here is how to consume it properly:
- Listen in order: This isn't a "shuffle" album. The interludes actually matter for the flow.
- Watch the film: The Tribeca film is available on streaming services now. It contextually bridges the gap between the weird spoken word parts and the heavy rock tracks.
- Check the credits: Look into Shawn Everett’s other work if you like the grit of this CD; it'll explain why the drums sound so massive.
- Grab the physical copy: The 24-page booklet in the jewel case features photography by Glen Luchford that really hammers home the 1997 Thierry Mugler aesthetic.
The miley cyrus new cd isn't just a collection of songs to play at a BBQ. It’s a deliberate attempt to break the pop machine. It’s loud, it’s pretentious in the best way possible, and it’s easily the most interesting thing she’s done since Dead Petz.