03/07/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | JULY 3, 2025

25

Back to unconventional o Miley Cyrus experiments in Something Beautiful with uneven success

Something Beautiful is

ALBUM REVIEW

Cyrus’s ninth studio album.

Ű BY JOHN TAN

F OR most pop artistes, exploration is a scary word. Following one’s musical muse does not always pan out according to plan, especially when it differs from current music trends. Miley Cyrus’s artistry, therefore, has been a breath of fresh air. Since her Disney days, Cyrus has

JAPANESE group Wolf Howl Harmony from Exile Tribe shakes up the daily routine with its new single Bossa Bosa . Known for blending bold sounds with relatable themes, the group continues to carve its identity with this energetic, humour-filled uptempo track. Bossa Bosa flips the grogginess of waking up and the haze of everyday life on its head – turning sluggish mornings into a stage for carefree dancing. From the moment the beat drops, the song delivers a jolt of energy with its booming bass, rhythmic rap and an irresistible “vibin” vibe that builds like an electric current. The onomatopoeic Bossa Bosa serves as a quirky, addictive hook that sticks in your head long after the track ends. Lyrically, the song paints a playful contradiction of emotions “Make more noise than the alarm” versus “Let me sleep one more minute” mirroring the laziness and liveliness of youth. It is a snapshot of modern life, exaggerated through sound and movement, capturing that universal struggle of waking up and embracing the day with a grin. Following the high-octane release of its lead track Bakuon from its debut album Wolf , which incorporated baile funk in homage to member Ghee’s Brazilian roots, Bossa Bosa showcases another side of Wolf Howl Harmony – more mischievous, more carefree, but equally bold. While Bakuon brought the intensity, Bossa Bosa turned up the playfulness, cementing the group’s reputation for versatility and creative storytelling through sound. Accompanying the track is an equally lively performance video, teasing new choreography and showcasing the group’s growth as performers. Whether you are hitting snooze or starting your day with a groove, Bossa Bosa is great for mornings that do not quite go as planned but are better because of it. Wolf Howl Harmony is a four-member vocal and rap group formed in August 2023 through a competition called iCon Z Dreams For Children. Wolf Howl Harmony drops new single The group’s name Wolf Howl Harmony reflects how the members’ paths crossed and their voices blended together, like a lone wolf finding its pack. AMERICAN singer-songwriter Alex Warren teamed up with K-pop star Rose of Blackpink to release their collaboration On My Mind , out now via Warner Records. The song was announced as a surprise track on Warren’s upcoming album You’ll Be Alright, Kid , due out July 18. Warren first teased the potential collaboration with Rose on social media weeks ago, sparking a frenzy of speculation and excitement among fans. Since then, anticipation for the track has steadily built, culminating in this much-awaited release. On My Mind is a soaring and swelling love song in Warren’s mastered style of anthemic pop, infused with raw emotion and cinematic flair. Produced by hitmakers Ammo and John Ryan, the track meshes Warren’s heartfelt delivery and Rose’s smooth

constantly made it a point to evolve. From embracing her pop sensibilities to trying out du jour hip-hop, the 32-year-old has enticed fans with unpredictability throughout her career. Her ninth album Something Beautiful is reflective of that tradition. Centring on her recovery from trauma, Cyrus returns to her desire to push beyond the norms of popular music. Breaking free from expectations Although the songs contain pop elements, the album’s offerings

Something Beautiful centres around healing from trauma and finding beauty in the darkest moments of life. – PICS FROM INSTAGRAM @MILEY CYRUS

are not reflective of today’s musical preferences. Whether by their hooks or choruses, the songs are not obvious candidates for hits on radio or TikTok. Even the catchiest offerings such as End of the World , Easy Lover , Walk of Fame and Reborn defy the expectations of a pop star such as Cyrus. Instead, the album is curated for listeners who long for something more. With heavy influences from the 70s and 80s, Something Beautiful may find fans among those who are appreciative of those musical periods. Advocate of Cyrus’s vocals Since the release of her previous album Endless Summer Vacation , fans have seen less of Cyrus. This is due to her recent diagnosis of Reinke’s edema. This medical condition, according to her, makes it difficult to perform live. Though it shapes her unique sound,

they do not have much to offer. Additionally, certain songs could have been removed from the album. Its prelude and interludes, for one, were unnecessary additions. They provide no artistic value to the album as a whole. Only appetiser When compared with her previous works, Something Beautiful certainly falls short. It is not representative of Cyrus’s artistry and calibre as an artiste. But like Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department , Something Beautiful may just be a cathartic purging of emotions for Cyrus. After all, the Malibu hitmaker did describe the album as “just an appetiser” during her performance at the Chateau, hinting at the possibility that Something Beautiful might just be a stepping stone to something else. Until then, we will wait patiently.

Cyrus has compared the condition to “running a marathon with ankle weights on”. The struggle, however, has not prevented Cyrus’s vocal growth as evident in Something Beautiful . Listeners will be quick to detect Cyrus’s vocal improvement and prowess throughout the album. The noteworthy performances include More to Lose , Easy Lover and Walk of Fame . Premature evolution Cyrus’s desire to further her musical sound is certainly to be applauded. But the move feels a bit premature. Though ambitious, many of the songs could have used additional time in the oven. They do not feel fully realised in the current state. Similar to her efforts on Younger Now and Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz , the songs do not have a strong and impactful identity. They do not push the genre’s boundaries as

Rose, Alex Warren release On My Mind

Ordinary was released in February to rave reviews, amassing almost one billion streams to date and topping the charts. The track currently holds the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a third consecutive week, while also topping the Spotify Global Top 50 and Billboard Global 200. It marks Warren’s first Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 and #1, making him the first male soloist in 2024 to debut at the top of the chart. On TikTok, the song has sparked over 659,000 user-generated videos, with more than 575 million streams on Spotify and 71 million views on YouTube. Warren now has over 2.4 billion career streams, bolstered by the success of both Ordinary and Bloodline (with Jelly Roll), which claimed the highest debut globally on Spotify on May 23 with nearly 3 million streams.

vocals for a deeply resonant and memorable listening experience. The accompanying music video, directed by Grammy-nominated filmmaker Colin Tilley, brings the song’s emotional landscape to life through striking visuals and intimate storytelling. Alongside On My Mind , Warren’s forthcoming new album You’ll Be Alright, Kid will feature all the songs on You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) and 11 new songs. Among these new tracks are Warren’s chart-topping hits Ordinary and Bloodline (with Jelly Roll). The album is largely co-written by Warren alongside Cal Shapiro and Mags Duval, with production led by Adam Yaron. While You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) delved into themes of grief and loss, You’ll Be Alright, Kid turns the page – marking a new chapter defined by healing, resilience and hope.

Rose (left) and Warren.