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Miley Cyrus is no stranger to changing up her image and sound. We all remember her dancing on stage at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards with her form finger, or when she decided to show off her more rock-heavy side with the release of “Plastic Hearts.” It is safe to say that the “Endless Summer Vacation” era is a breath of fresh air for the former Disney star. Cyrus proves through stunning vocals and powerful lyrics that she is here to stay. The album itself seems to be heavily influenced by the Disco, Electronic and Pop genres. It gives off a completely different vibe from “Plastic Hearts” which focused more on a Punk and New Wave sound.
“Flowers,” the first single and track on the album, opens the record with a bang. It is a beautifully written song about finding yourself after a relationship. The music video is visually stunning, with Cyrus wearing a beautiful gold gown.
The second track, “Jaded,” is reminiscent of Cyrus’ older songs and the post-breakup songs of the 1970s. The lyrics, “And it’s a fuckin’ shame that it ended like that / You broke your own heart, but you’d never say that / We went to hell, and we never came back,” will rip at your heart, especially if you have similar feelings about a past relationship. “Jaded” is bound to become a fan-favorite and will sound amazing when performed live.
The fifth track, “You,” is the best song on the whole album. This is a beautifully written love song about the honeymoon stages of a new relationship and accepting someone for their true personality. Cyrus first released a live version of the song performed on the piano. The studio version keeps the piano but adds some drums and heightens her vocals.
The album’s most unique track is the sixth track, “Handstand.” The song’s intro is delivered in spoken word, something Cyrus really has not done before. It will remind listeners of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and Madonna’s “Express Yourself.” After the intro comes the electronic beat, which only adds more to the song’s uniqueness.
The album’s eleventh track, “Island,” sounds as if it was inspired by Blondie’s “The Tide Is High” and Paris Hilton’s “Stars Are Blind.” It is the perfect song to play while at the beach or watching the sunset. “Island” will become another Miley Cyrus summer anthem, just like 2017’s “Malibu.”
The twelfth track, “Wonder Woman,” is a beautiful piano ballad that closes out “Endless Summer Vacation.” This song embodies how life is full of emotional rollercoasters, and sometimes you’re at odds with how you feel. If you consider yourself a fan of the melody in Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel,” then you will absolutely love “Wonder Woman.”
Others tracks to keep an eye on include: “Rose Colored Lenses,” “Thousand Miles,” “River” and “Violet Chemistry.”
“River” was the album’s second single and also has a visually stunning music video that accompanies it. “Thousand Miles” brings out Cyrus’s country roots with the acoustic guitar played in the background and Brandi Carlile’s supporting vocals.
The album’s only disappointments are “Muddy Feet” and “Wildcard,” which happen to come right after one another. They aren’t bad songs, but they just do not really fit with the rest of the songs on the album.
Sia’s feature on “Muddy Feet” adds nothing to the song and sounds as if her vocals were added last minute.
“Wildcard” just sounds like a B-side of “Plastic Hearts.”
“Endless Summer Vacation” is one of Miley Cyrus’s strongest albums to date. Fans, old and new, will be able to find a song they can connect with. Here’s hoping that Cyrus announces a tour in the near future, because these songs need to be performed in front of a sold-out crowd of fans.
The album can be streamed on all streaming platforms and can be purchased on vinyl and CD. If fans want to experience more of the album, they can stream “Miley Cyrus: Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)” on Disney+.
