Bangerz is the kind of guilty pleasure that you keep on the down-low, escaping to your dorm room to indulge in it. Miley Cyrus has created addictive music that is so wrong that it feels right. Bangerz is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with songs that range from self-aware anthems of a wild child to heartbreak ballads that reflect the ups and downs of being a 20-something. While tracks like “SMS (Bangerz)” and “Love, Money, Party” showcase Cyrus’ carefree attitude, others like “Wrecking Ball” and “Maybe You’re Right” expose the pains of failed love.
It’s no surprise that “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball” are the most popular singles on Bangerz as they have a wider appeal. The album is infused with southern hip-hop, and Cyrus even tries her hand at rapping, although the lyrics are not her finest hour, as she mentions orangutans. Bangerz isn’t deep by any means, with lyrics that talk about discovering suspicious text messages and opting for a vibrator over a boyfriend. However, no one was really expecting the next “Peace Train” from the woman who gave us “Party in the U.S.A.” In tracks like “FU,” Cyrus belts out powerful vocals that are reminiscent of some of music’s greatest women singers, and for good reason.
Miley Cyrus caused quite the stir with her recent VMA performance, which has only added to the anticipation for her fourth studio album, Bangerz. This album marks a significant evolution for the pop star – she’s shed her old identity as the double-lifed hillbilly Hannah Montana and embraced a new persona: ratchet Miley 2.0, complete with grills and tiny peroxide buns.
While some may be shocked by this transformation, it’s really nothing out of the ordinary for a 20-something in the “me generation.” There’s a certain brand of self-aware wildness that Cyrus is tapping into and presenting to the world. With her crop tops, super-stacked platform shoes, and revival of the “Pretty Woman” hooker dress, she’s creating a controlled rebellion of confidence and independence. And with her “I know I look crazy, but I don’t care” attitude, she’s definitely owning her new image.
Cyrus’s fashion choices on the red carpet appear to be easily replicable from stores such as Forever 21 and GoJane. Furthermore, the dancing seen on Sixth Street on a Thursday night can be more provocative than what Cyrus showcases. The criticism that Cyrus receives is largely due to her lack of a traditionally “sexy” persona. If we reflect back to her performance at the VMAs, it was quite peculiar – featuring shots of Cyrus playing with fake long hair and sticking out her tongue while emerging from a teddy bear. It was quirky and odd, but not in any way sensual.
In the past, pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera made headlines with their revealing performances. Remember Spears’ crystal bodysuit at the 2000 VMAs? Though scandalous, it was deemed acceptable because of her sัx appeal. However, Miley Cyrus has taken this to a new level, reaching a point of sัxual saturation where she is no longer considered the mainstream idea of “hot.” In her song “4 x 4,” Cyrus sings a line that is not traditionally considered sัxy and her Southern accent only adds to the unappealing nature of the lyrics. Despite this, Cyrus has proven that there is still room in the pop world for the unconventional, as demonstrated by her fuzzy costumes and creepers. She is transforming into a true force to be reckoned with and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. After all, she’s just being Miley.
