equality factor: empowering lyrics of a free woman
producer: Louis Bell, watt
label: RCA Records, Sony Music Entertainment
based in: Los Angeles, CA
Miley Cyrus' first single in 2020 was released today, following the 2019 single "Slide Away". "Midnight Sky" is a sneak peek at her upcoming record, "She is Miley Cyrus", the Tennessee singer's seventh studio album which still has no confirmed release date.
It is a well-known fact that Miley Cyrus's artistic career has been like a chameleon from the beginning: she changes colors and sounds every season. For this reason, a new work by the American singer always fills us with uncertainty and nervous anticipation during the time leading up to its release. Just a week ago, Miley announced her new release "Midnight Sky", next to a 15-second teaser in which she was seen lying on a pool of colored gum while rocking tons of bracelets, rings, and shiny necklaces. The new LP will follow the 2019 EP "She Is Coming", which featured the lead single "Mother's Daughter" as well as collaborations with the Drag queen star RuPaul ("Cattitude") among others. "Midnight Sky" is reportedly produced by mega hitmaker Max Martin, who worked with Miley on her Ariana Grande and Lana Del Rey collaboration Don't Call Me Angel.
On several occasions, the love catharsis has become a huge success for Cyrus, it is worth remembering the popularity of Wrecking Ball (2013), a song in which she narrated the pain of her breakup with her ex-husband the actor Liam Hemsworth. With millions and millions of reproductions, the video clip became one of the most popular musical clips in history, breaking the record of visits in 24 hours with 44 million reproductions. In the video, it was very clear that the main objective was to bury Miley Cyrus' innocent image forever. However, as time went on, Miley's personality became stronger and more mature. In 2015, already outspoken on social and political issues, she founded the "Happy Hippie Foundation", an NGO aimed at defending the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community. As time went on, Miley emphasized this image as being increasingly committed to the cause, and especially to womxn's rights.
"It's been a long night and the mirror is tellin' me to go home/ But it's been a long time since I've felt this good on my own/ Nine years went by with my hands tied up in your ropes/ Forever and ever, no more."
Although Miley Cyrus was always an empowered woman, just listening to one of the verses of Midnight Sky is enough to reconfirm that "It's been a long night and the mirror is tellin' me to go home/ But it's been a long time since I've felt this good on my own/ Nine years went by with my hands tied up in your ropes/ Forever and ever, no more," she croons on the new song. The single has an electro-pop vibe complete with a light helping of synth. While it "Midnight Sky" does not necessarily provide the most unheard of and inventive sonic experience, it represents a more grounded, grown, and confident Miley than ever before. Lyrically touching upon themes of breaking free, and discovering non-heteronormative sexual experiences, it is an autobiographic experience that takes listeners to the half-empty dancefloor of a pre-COVID19 disco at 5 AM. Similar to "Nothing Breaks Like A Heart", the 2019 collaboration of Miley and Mark Ronson, this song needs time to grow on you. It is half-tempo and a bit predictable, but nevertheless a well-composed work of pop music. Miley Cyrus' is an excellent vocalist - as we know - and with the lyrics to "Midnight Sky", she delivers a new chapter to her musical autobiography. Anyone who has ever broken free from an unhappy relationship will relate - and play this song on repeat.
We will probably listen to the song live for the first time at the iHeartRadio Festival on September 18-19, where Miley will perform along with other artists such as Coldplay, BTS, Usher, and more.
