MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE: Miley Cyrus is going for “less is more” approach with the rollout of Something Beautiful

The rollout for Miley Cyrus’s upcoming visual album Something Beautiful is well underway, and it seems like she is going for the “less is more” approach, letting the actual songs and visuals do the talking. After spending so many years of her career touring and working countless hours doing press, she has spent the last few years since her last album Endless Summer Vacation doing very limited public appearances, and opting out of touring all together. While I can appreciate her approach, there’s always going to be that fan in me who wants to watch her interviews and performances; I’m still hoping we get some this era.

This new chapter of Miley’s career is Miley in her 30s. She’s confident, sexy, and ready to create some iconic visual pop moments. That’s the intention, at least, I mean why else create an entire visual album to go along with your record all while managing to get an entire archive of vintage Mugler pieces on your back (along with some Jean Paul Gauthier, Alexander McQueen and Alaïa sprinkled in there). Based off the visuals released so far, the fashion pieces themselves are the storyline of the videos, as she really is just skipping around with a microphone looking fabulous for the duration of the ones released so far. Having already released the first 3 of 13 visuals before the final May 30th drop, Miley has sent the smilers into a frenzy, giving us a soundtrack to last well out of spring into summer, where fashion and music meet.

Another big release this week comes from Elton John and Brandi Carlile. Who Believes In Angels? is a duet record between the two, and Elton has been quoted as saying it was “one of the toughest [albums] I’ve made”. He recorded the album all while in the throes of illness, a pain I couldn’t imagine. Obviously his passion for music is his saving grace, which is no surprise for someone as talented as he is.

Coachella weekend one begins this upcoming weekend, so no doubt next week’s music releases will reflect that. If you recall, it was just one year ago this very same weekend where Sabrina Carpenter debuted her smash single “Espresso” during Coachella weekend, introducing her to a whole new audience and ushering in one of the biggest pop eras of recent times. Will there be another “Espresso”? Stay tuned here to find out.

This week, along with Miley, we have new tunes from Ciara, Djo, BigXthatPlug with Bailey Zimmerman, HAIM and a viral pick by one of R&B and pop’s newest rising stars, Ravyn Lenae who will be opening for Sabrina Carpenter on tour.

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“End of the World” by Miley Cyrus

The first official single off Miley’s new record is the ABBA-influenced pop gem “End Of The World” (this mash-up of the song with “Mamma Mia” is all I can hear now, you’re welcome). The song is instantly one of her catchiest tunes, from the hard-hitting bass line to the catchy chorus and euphoric post-chorus chant, “the sky is falling”, which is repeated throughout. Miley sings about the helplessness you feel when a situation is out of your control, and rather than fixating on it, just dance and “pretend it’s not the end of the world”. It’s giving that meme where you know the world is falling apart but you’re still vibing. In times that are as trying as the ones we are living in now, this is a song about pretending like it’s not the end of the world. Truly. Where the first buzz single “Something Beautiful” felt more alternative and artsy, this track is more traditional in its format and far more radio friendly. I could totally see this going toe-to-toe with some of Miley’s other big radio hits. I’m also beyond obsessed with the fact that so far Miley’s concept of a visual album is just her dancing around with a microphone while wearing haute couture gowns, I live. This album is the follow-up to her career-defining moment with “Flowers” back in 2023, and it would’ve been easy for her to play it safe and stick to the traditional album rollout format and make a “Flowers” part 2. Instead, Miley who never takes the safe route, decided to yet again try something new. Whether it will be the hit “Flowers” was isn’t even important, because we’re witnessing an artist in full bloom, truly becoming the musician and creator she was always meant to be.

“Ecstasy” by Ciara

With the likes of SZA, Muni Long and Normani nodding to the artists from the early-oughts in their music, it’s only natural that one of the OGs from that era creates her own sound in today’s music. Ciara has been an independent artist since 2018 and she returns with this new song “Ecstasy” which will be included on her forthcoming album CiCi (Deluxe), her first full-length effort since 2019’s Beauty Marks. The song is sensual and reminiscent of her other classic hits like “Body Party” in the striptease-esque choreography. Her whispery vocals lend so well to a good R&B/pop sex jam, and the song is pretty explicit. Ciara sings about everything from her body coming alive, to even repeating numerous times (in a very catchy melody I may add) that she “got good p” … well you get the picture. Get it girl. She oozes confidence and sex appeal so effortlessly, it’s always great to see her back in action. When I see songs like “Made for Me” by Muni Long going viral, I am reminded that there most definitely is a place for Ciara to have another big hit in her career; “Ecstasy” is as good a candidate as any. She tore up the stage on tour with Missy Elliott last summer, so she’s definitely still got the magic in her performance. It’s like no time has passed at all since “Goodies”, and if anything, she looks and sounds even better.

“Delete Ya” by Djo

If you haven’t added Djo’s new album The Crux to your libraries, then stop what you’re doing and do so this instant. The album is Joe Kerry’s stab at a psychedelic pop-rock anthemic record, and it is everything. Off my first listen, the instant earworm “Delete Ya” has been on replay in my mind. The song talks about wishing he could delete the memories of an old flame. Very Ariana Grande Eternal Sunshine and unfortunately something that many of us can relate to. The mid-tempo banger is an emotional track and lyric yes, but it’s always the songs with the saddest stories that end up hitting the hardest when singing them. I want it to rain on me at an outdoor amphitheatre when I hear it live this summer. Yes, I bought tickets to his show after listening but unfortunately he’ll be playing an indoor venue, I do hope I get my rain fantasy someday though. The album the song comes from has the instrumental highlights from an album of the 70s/80s but with a very current sound as well. I’m anxiously awaiting the new season of Stranger Things, but in the meantime this album will do as a nice placeholder.

“All The Way” by BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman

When my best friend first introduced me to BigXthaPlug, it took me a while to not be distracted by my initial dismay for straight trap music. I always need some type of melody with my music, but to my pleasant surprise, his discography is full of bops. His tunes are turn-up ready, and are perfect for the nights you need a little extra help to get pumped. This new release with country artist Bailey Zimmerman is a perfect blend of both genres, making a summer-ready anthem that is sure to be played at cottage weekends across the board. It’s also BigX’s first foray into the world of country music and having been born and raised in Dallas, Texas, country music is in his bones. The chorus to “All The Way” is fire and talks about a man begging his lover set him free if she won’t put in the same energy he is putting into their relationship. Nothing like a good breakup song to lead us out of cuffing season and into single nights at the bars. I can already picture myself scream-singing it when I’m three shots into the night lol. I may not be the traditional country boy blasting tunes from his pickup truck, but I do own a cowboy hat from the Renaissance Tour so there is some yeehaw in me. Ever since Nelly and Tim McGraw put out their 2004 mega-hit “Over and Over”, country and rap have been unstoppable and many of the biggest country artists today are relying on this formula to get some crossover on pop radio; so this works for both artists in this case. BigXthaPlug’s next big performance is at none other than Coachella this weekend and next, and he’s also embarking on a sold-out tour of North America this summer. Cheers to one of rap (and country’s) most promising rising stars.

“Everybody’s trying to figure me out” by HAIM

The second single off their as-of-yet untitled forthcoming album, “Everybody’s trying to figure me out”, is an emotional reflective track about finding the courage to live your life the way you want to. Anxieties get in the way at the most unwelcome times, I think we can all relate to that, so these lyrics are bound to help some people feel understood. Danielle Haim detailed her experience writing the song in an Instagram post, saying that it’s her favourite song of theirs from the last couple of years. The personal songs tend to do that to the artist, with good reason. Danielle is also a co-producer alongside long-time collaborator Rostam Batmanglij. Sonically, it is a beautiful easy-listening experience, complete with Danielle’s signature drumming and leading vocals throughout. While some fans of the band may be split because the song is more laid-back than their previous hits, I for one think this would sound amazing coming out the speakers of a dentist’s office, and I mean that in a good way lol. I have a playlist dedicated to songs I hear in pharmacies and clinics, it’s my favourite one lol. I almost hear a little late-90s Third Eye Blind or Savage Garden? I dig it. The Haim sisters are always reliable for a well-executed nod to the early oughts in their cover art, and the cover for this single is yet another example. Re-creating this legendary Kate Moss photo, it follows the theme for this new album era of the sisters doing these re-imagined shots. Their previous single cover for “Relationships” is a re-creation of that Nicole Kidman moment. There’s clearly a celebrity paparazzi theme to the visuals, which opens so many possibilities for what the album cover will depict. Brilliant.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

Ravyn Lenae “Love Me Not”

Since her debut EP back in 2015, Moon Shoes, Ravyn Lenae has been steadily making a name for herself, earning a niche following. Her effortless blend of traditional R&B music with electronic and neo-soul influences has made her a favourite not just with the younger generation, but also the OG R&B music fans. If R&B music had an indie younger sister, it would be Ravyn Lenae. Citing the likes of OutKast, Erykah Badu and Janet Jackson as influences, Ravyn is the next generation of R&B music personified. She even teamed up with Janet Jackson super-producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for her album. It wasn’t until the release of her viral smash “Love Me Not” and its accompanying album Bird’s Eye last year that she really started to make some noise. Close to a year later, the song has reached true viral status on TikTok, being used over 350k times in various videos ranging from cute DIY projects, to viral love stories and everything in between. Think of it as the quintessential TikTok sound for pretty much any video about… anything. Those sounds that aren’t necessarily attached to one specific trend, but rather just a catchy snippet. The viral success of “Love Me Not” has catapulted Ravyn in the mainstream conversation, with the song earning its first ever appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. Ravyn has also found fans in everyone from SZA to Childish Gambino, and as mentioned earlier in this post, is joining Sabrina Carpenter as one of the opening acts for her Fall 2025 North American leg of the Short n’ Sweet Tour. With the success of SZA, we are finally entering a new era where R&B girls are back on pop radio (after many years of a drought), and Ravyn is the perfect candidate to keep this train going.