Music/Album Reviews

Miley Cyrus is like that beloved friend who’s always getting into trouble. You can see it coming, but her chaotic life is so thrilling to witness that you can’t look away. Sure, when she comes over, she’ll probably spill a drink or knock something off the wall, but the loud laughs and the barely believable stories are worth it.

Her powerhouse new album, Plastic Hearts, is an unapologetic salute to no apologies. She pushes the take-me-as-I-am trope to compelling, convincing places with gasp-worthy honesty, warning friends and lovers to watch out. Not giving a shit has never sounded so fresh and fantastic.

There are more anthems here than at an afternoon at the Olympics. The blast-tastic barrage of pop rock is driven by Cyrus’ catch-me-if-you-can vocals and pristine production that still allows her to sound intimate and raw. It feels like she’s showing off, but she’s allowed to—the album is packed with hits.

Cyrus enlists an A Team guest list—including Dua Lipa, Billy Idol and Joan Jett—for classic collabs before dropping killer covers of Blondie’s Heart of Glass and The Cranberries’ Zombie, along with a remix of Fleetwood Mac’s Midnight Sky featuring Stevie Nicks herself.

With Plastic Hearts, Cyrus can confidently claim her place among a growing list of goodie-two-shoes-gone-bad adolescent acts whose best music is still ahead. Sure, at the end of the night, call her a cab and check the ashtrays for burning smokes, but definitely invite her back for more.