Plastic Hearts: Miley Cyrus' Musical Evolution

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Plastic Hearts is the seventh studio album by American singer Miley Cyrus, released on 27 November 2020, by RCA Records. The album marks a departure from Cyrus' previous releases, primarily a rock, pop, synth-pop, and glam rock record, with influences from country, punk rock, new wave, arena rock, industrial, disco, and power pop. In an interview, Cyrus revealed that the album was a trauma response and that she spent over two years creating her debut rock album.

Characteristics Values
Artist Miley Cyrus
Album Plastic Hearts
Album Number Seventh studio album
Release Date November 27, 2020
Record Label RCA Records
Genre Rock, pop, synth-pop, glam rock, with influences from country, punk rock, new wave, arena rock, industrial, disco, and power pop
Producers Andrew Watt, Louis Bell, Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt
Guest Vocals Dua Lipa, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks
Debut Chart Position Number one on the US Billboard Top Rock Albums chart, number two on the Billboard 200
Singles "Midnight Sky", "Prisoner", "Angels Like You"
Critical Reception Positive reviews, praised for being passionate, self-aware, and a substantial evolution from previous albums
Commercial Impact Helped lead the commercial resurgence of rock music in 2020-2021, cited as a pivot to rock in the pop world
Personal Significance Cyrus considered it a "trauma response" and expressed mixed feelings about the album in retrospect

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Critical acclaim

Plastic Hearts, the seventh studio album by American singer Miley Cyrus, received positive reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard Top Rock Albums chart and number two on the Billboard 200.

Heather Phares from AllMusic claimed the album was both "passionate and self-aware" and the "finest incarnation of Cyrus' music yet". Claire Shaffer of Rolling Stone called the album a "karaoke night out that ends up being something more substantial", and praised Cyrus for fully embracing "rock at its most bombastic, artificial, hair-metal glory". Pitchfork's Shaad D'Souza described Plastic Hearts as a "genuinely pleasing, though sometimes hamfisted record that staves off the awkwardness and missteps that plagued her previous albums". D'Souza also noted that the album's greatest success is that "for the first time in a long time, a Miley Cyrus record is music first, headlines second".

The New York Times wrote that with Plastic Hearts, "rock music has found its most earnest and high-profile millennial ambassador", and that "rock's not dead — it's just in the capable hands of Miley Cyrus". The Diamondback pointed to Cyrus as one of the main current artists who "helped to rebrand rock", and stated that she "could very well become the female face of a rock revival". Consequence of Sound also cited Plastic Hearts as a "big pivot to rock in the pop world".

Cyrus herself has expressed regrets about the album, calling it a "trauma response". In an interview with her mother, Tish, and sister, Brandi, Cyrus said that she wished she hadn't written "half of Plastic Hearts, honestly".

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Rock music's revival

Miley Cyrus's seventh studio album, Plastic Hearts, marked a significant shift in her musical trajectory and was pivotal in the revival of rock music in the early 2020s. The album, released in November 2020, was a deliberate departure from her previous pop releases, embracing a range of rock subgenres. Cyrus herself described the album as a "rock record" and a "mosaic of all the things that I've been before."

Plastic Hearts debuted at number one on the US Billboard Top Rock Albums chart, receiving acclaim from music critics. The album was produced primarily by Andrew Watt and Louis Bell, with additional collaborations, reflecting Cyrus' intent to embrace rock music wholeheartedly.

The album's rock influence was underscored by guest vocals from renowned rock artists such as Billy Idol and Joan Jett. Critics praised the album for being "passionate and self-aware," with Cyrus knowing "exactly what kind of leather-jacket-and-combat-boot show she's putting on." This intentional embrace of rock's bombastic and artificial nature was a refreshing change for listeners.

The commercial success and cultural impact of Plastic Hearts played a pivotal role in the resurgence of rock music. Publications like Kerrang! and The Diamondback acknowledged Cyrus' contribution to rebranding rock and bringing it back to the forefront of popular culture. The New York Times even proclaimed that "rock music has found its most earnest and high-profile millennial ambassador" in Cyrus, challenging the notion that "rock is dead."

With Plastic Hearts, Cyrus not only challenged genre conventions but also pushed the boundaries of her own artistic expression. Despite expressing some regrets about the album later, citing it as a "trauma response," Plastic Hearts stands as a testament to Cyrus' ability to reinvent herself and breathe new life into rock music.

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Influences and collaborations

Plastic Hearts, the seventh studio album by American singer Miley Cyrus, was released on November 27, 2020, via RCA Records. The album marks a departure from Cyrus' previous releases, primarily exploring rock, pop, synth-pop, and glam rock genres, with influences from country, punk rock, new wave, arena rock, industrial, disco, and power pop.

Cyrus cited Blondie as an influence, covering their song "Heart of Glass" around the time of Plastic Hearts' release. In an interview, she also expressed her admiration for Blondie's catalogue, stating that their records contain "so many good songs." Cyrus further highlighted her interest in Dolly Parton's music, expressing a desire to have written "half of [Parton's] catalogue."

The album features guest vocals from Dua Lipa, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, and Stevie Nicks. Most of the album was produced by Andrew Watt and Louis Bell, with additional collaborations with Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. Watt also provided background vocals, bass guitar, drums, guitar, percussion, keyboards, piano, and programming. Bell contributed to the keyboards, programming, and piano.

Cyrus acknowledged the influence of various genres on the album, aiming for a "genre-less" feel. She spent over two years creating her debut rock album, incorporating elements of disco in the lead single "Midnight Sky." The collaboration with Dua Lipa on "Prisoner" further showcases the album's blend of pop and rock influences.

Plastic Hearts received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Cyrus' embrace of rock music and the album's refreshing sound. Publications like Kerrang! and The Diamondback highlighted Cyrus' role in the resurgence of rock and the potential for attracting new fans to the genre.

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Trauma response

Miley Cyrus has described her seventh studio album, 'Plastic Hearts', as a "trauma response". In an interview with her mother, Tish, and sister, Brandi, Cyrus expressed that she wasn't particularly fond of the album, wishing she hadn't written half of it.

'Plastic Hearts' marked a significant departure from Cyrus' previous releases, with a rock-inspired sound. It has been described as "passionate and self-aware" and a ""genuinely pleasing" record. The album has been credited with helping to rebrand rock music and bringing a new audience to the genre.

Cyrus spent over two years creating her debut rock album, and during its promotion, she released covers of famous rock songs, such as "Heart of Glass" by Blondie. The album features collaborations with rock artists such as Billy Idol and Joan Jett, and Cyrus has expressed her admiration for Blondie and Dolly Parton, wishing she had written some of their songs.

The album can be understood as a response to trauma in the sense that it represents a significant shift and a desire to move in a new direction. Cyrus has expressed fear about writing new music, and the album can be seen as a courageous step forward, embracing a new sound and a different genre. This suggests a personal and artistic evolution, and a willingness to confront and move beyond past traumas.

The album's themes and sound may reflect Cyrus' own experiences of trauma and her desire to express herself more authentically. By embracing a rock aesthetic and sound, Cyrus may be processing and responding to difficult experiences, using her music as a form of release and a means to connect with her audience in a deeper and more meaningful way.

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Miley's reflection

Plastic Hearts was a special project for me. It was my seventh studio album, released on November 27, 2020, and it was different from anything I had done before. I had spent over two years creating my debut rock album, and I was proud of it. I wanted to embrace a genre-less and genderless identity with this album, and I think we achieved that. It was a mosaic of all the things I had been before, and it felt like the right next step for me as an artist.

The album was a mix of rock, pop, synth-pop, and glam rock, with influences from country, punk rock, new wave, industrial, and disco. I wanted to push the boundaries and explore new sounds, and I was grateful to collaborate with incredible artists like Dua Lipa, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, and Stevie Nicks. Their contributions added a unique flavour to the album.

I remember the creation process vividly. I was determined to make a rock record, but I also wanted to incorporate elements of pop and other genres that had influenced me. I wanted to challenge the idea that rock music was dying and show that it could be reinvented and appealing to new fans. It was a risk, but one that I felt was worth taking. I wanted to be earnest and high-profile about rock music, and I hoped that my passion would come through in the music.

Looking back, I have mixed feelings about Plastic Hearts. While I am proud of taking a new direction and embracing rock, there are times when I wish I hadn't been so hard on myself. Creating this album was a trauma response, and it came at a time when I was exploring and covering famous rock songs by artists like Blondie. I put a lot of pressure on myself, and in hindsight, I wish I had given myself more grace.

Despite the challenges, Plastic Hearts holds a special place in my heart. It represented my growth as an artist and my desire to constantly evolve and improve. I am grateful for the opportunity to express myself and connect with my fans through this album. It was a labour of love, and I hope that, above all, it brought joy and inspiration to those who listened.

Frequently asked questions

Plastic Hearts is the seventh studio album by American singer Miley Cyrus.

It was released on 27 November 2020 by RCA Records.

It is primarily a rock album, with influences from pop, synth-pop, glam rock, country, punk rock, new wave, arena rock, industrial, disco, and power pop.

In an interview in 2019, Cyrus said that the album would be "kind of a mosaic of all the things that I’ve been before". She also said that she wanted the album to be "genderless and genre-less". In 2025, Cyrus said that the album was a "trauma response".

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