The fist track on the album, ‘WTF DO I Know’ starts solidly and shows off the passion that Miley wants to deliver in this new era in her career. The groove would get anyone going, it drives us to wait and see what we are going to be given on ‘Plastic Hearts’. The country banjo within the pre-chrous, almost ‘Old Town Road’ like, is a cool touch and a nod to the past perhaps? The guitars sound solid, they fit so well with the pace of the chorus and overall it leaves our first moment of the new LP, in a good place.
Performance wise of everyone involved is worthy to be seen as a good attempt on the title track, yet the rhythm and melody is simply dire. It feels tired and I think the Phineas and Ferb song called ‘Busted’ is a better song….yes it does remind me of Ashley Tisdale singing about catching her brothers out on a Disney Channel show. The mix is lazy, leaving the backing vocals, which are suppose to give this song such an impact, sound weak and the odd percussion to reinforce how different it feels, is useless.
The contrast we go to from track 2 to 3, probably is a great example of the frustration I suffer with Miley Cyrus. ‘Angels Like You’ is the first ballad on the record and is truly stunning, the vocals sounds so powerful and not overdone which is always a risk by the singer. Melodically its hauntingly beautiful, it rolls off the lounge so well with the lyrics and the production of the dramatic and heavy beat is awesome. This feels like this has been thought through….cherished even to make sure the song fulfils its potential. Fair play on this one, a standout song that shows how talented Cyrus can be when focused.
’Prisoner’ is a dance punk song that is a great collaboration, following on from Miley doing this modern spin on a 70’s era of Stevie Nicks edge of seventeen thing. The funkness here is so epic as the bass shines so well, it’s fantastic. Dua Lipa stands out incredibly, delivering such a sexy and infectious performance that makes the song. Miley does not come across as strong, yet her grit helps with delivering the mood of her current convictions. The reception of the two artists and the impact the two have made should not be questioned, even if the song does not match with the greatest collaborations of all time, it is definitely a significant one.
‘Gimme What I Want’ has another bass line that comes along, with it feeling so stodgy to give it another interpretation of the funk that wants to be delivered on the record. Miley feels a lot stronger on here, the strutty number is fun and crafted so perfectly. The way it has been layered up and designed to make this a great song to play over while you walk dramatically through a side street with a lot of mist around your legs, is commendable.
The design of ‘Night Crawling (feat. Billy Idol)’ sadly does not cover over the formulaic nature of it all; yes the guitar sounds beautifully crisp but the synth hook and ‘come on’ sound so bland. This is what leaves me disappointed with ‘Plastic Hearts’, how is it suppose to be a rock’n’roll’ angle when yet it does not feel like risks are not taken at every turn. Overall this pop record is what you at least expect which is the main reason why Miley Cyrus should not be put up with the influences you hear on the record.
The main single called ‘Midnight Sky’ is next and feels corny but it is always hard as Miley just comes across as that so often it is, just what you expect. Though it its a solid single, it gives you that mood to dance into the night with some heavy mascara on, the hook is indeed catchy but the cliche 70’s moments does grain on you.
Other ballads come and go with not the same affect as the stand out one from earlier, it comes across as safe that should not be seen as a motive on an album like this. However ‘High’ brings things up again, the intensity of the lyrics is relatable and a comment on the artists mental health struggles. ‘Bad Karma (feat. Jenny Jet)’ takes us down a peg AGIAN, as it does not do anything interesting. ‘Golden G String’ closes things off, which thankfully sounds so lovely and gentle that makes the finish enjoyable. Vocally, Cyrus does sound on top form and the production choices fit so well, it is a well thought out song again (remember we had that earlier).
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