REJECTION: Miley Cyrus irrevocably denounces her image as a children’s pop star with the release of her new album Bangerz.
By Ruthie Farrell, Staff writer
Long ago, when the world was simpler and the songbirds of the countryside sung sweet melodies, there lived a little girl who composed songs inspired by traditional values and the delicate hum of nature. Well…that’s what we like to assume. Realistically, Miley Cyrus fans may have to accept that the innocent Hannah Montana they once idolized was nothing more than a soulless creation of record companies seeking money and fame.
This September, Cyrus talked with the YouTube Channel VHD about her new 2013 album Bangerz. She asserted that she’s finally being herself and doing what she loves, which implies that her contracts held her back just a few years ago. “People get a sense of who I am rather than some suit,” Cyrus said. It seems that the cute country chick and star of Hannah Montana never showed any authenticity until recently, when she embraced her new “fun loving” self: the “twerking queen” that can’t stop partying and going on sexual rampages.
At least her music is decent. Bangerz sounds a bit like something Britney Spears would write, but it is subtle and appropriate as Cyrus’ new sound is meant to touch on danger and lust. Spears is even featured in one of the songs, so in a way, she is credited for inspiration. The album is mostly composed of upbeat, unemotional songs excluding “Adore You,” “Wrecking Ball” and “My Darlin’.” These songs stand out because they take on the vast task of adding sentiment to the overall sound. Lyrically, the songs are not mind-blowing. They do, however, represent ideas that Cyrus definitely believes in. In the song “4×4,” her voice plays with twang, hinting at some of her old identity. However, this connection dissolves with one of the first lines she sings, “I’m a female rebel. Can’t you tell?” It’s almost as if she purposely contrasts her modern self with the old image she is desperately trying to shed.
Her lifestyle is controversial, but we must remember that her “true identity” was apparently suppressed throughout her career thus far. Therefore, it is only natural for a rebellious spirit to rise from within her, simply so she can make a point. “You know you’re gonna get a crazy reaction out of everyone no matter what I do, so you might as well keep people talking,” Cyrus suggested when chatting with Alan Carr on his British talk show, Chatty Man. She attempted to justify her sensually blunt actions, but she accomplished much more. Her audible nonchalance towards criticism shows that she truly just wants to embrace life as a young person, and could care less about others’ opinions. We can only hope that her free spirit will not get her into too much trouble.
Miley Cyrus is no saint, but at least she stands up for what she believes in—an act that is arguably admirable. Her popularity is evident from the number of times her new songs play on the radio; she deserves credit for this achievement, even if we do not agree with how she attained it. Both love and hate propell her to success, so whether we like it or not, Bangerz is bound to be a long-lasting hit album.
Photo courtesy of en.wikipedia.org