Miley Cyrus is stepping into new creative territory with her upcoming album Something Beautiful, which she describes as a hypnotic, glamorous concept piece heavily inspired by Pink Floyd’s legendary The Wall. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Cyrus opened up about the ambitious project, which will also serve as a visual album, blending sound and image to explore themes of destruction, heartbreak, and healing.
Cyrus shared that her connection to The Wall dates back to her teenage years. Alongside her brother and a close friend, she watched the iconic film (1982) in true ‘70s style, complete with a rented limousine, fur coats, and a haze of cannabis. “We really leaned in,” she recalled. “And so I have this heart-first attachment to it. My idea was making The Wall, but with a better wardrobe and more glamorous and filled with pop culture.”
Describing the album’s vibe, Cyrus said it’s “hypnotizing and glamorous,” but with a purpose: “It’s a concept album that’s an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music. I would like to be a human psychedelic for people. I want to impact frequencies in your body that make you vibrate at a different level.”
The visual aspect of Something Beautiful is central to the project, driving its sound and narrative. Cyrus explained, “It was important for me that every song has these healing sound properties. The songs, whether they’re about destruction or heartbreak or death, they’re presented in a way that is beautiful, because the nastiest times of our life do have a point of beauty. They are the shadow, they are the charcoal, they are the shading. You can’t have a painting without highlights and contrast.”
The album features collaborations with several creatives, including Shawn Everett, who previously worked on her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation. Everett praised Cyrus’ wide-ranging inspirations: “She’ll want it to feel like this specific runway show or something. I love when she talks like that. For me, it opens up a whole world.”
Cyrus’ boyfriend, Maxx Morando (drummer for Los Angeles band Liily), also plays a key role, producing tracks, including the title song. Cyrus reflected on their creative partnership: “I’ve always worked with people I love. And Maxx just inspires me so much.”
Panos Cosmatos, director of the 2018 cult horror film Mandy, is also involved in shaping the project. Cyrus initially approached him about turning Mandy into a musical, even wanting to play Nicolas Cage’s role. While the idea didn’t materialize, Cosmatos has brought his unique aesthetic to Something Beautiful. “This album is more experimental than anything she’s ever done, but in a pop way that I love,” he said.
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