Back to her roots
MALIBU Miley Cyrus
THE girl who made “twerking” a household name and shocked the world with her controversial image is back four years later with a whole new look. “Sometimes I get so scared of what I can’t understand, but here I am, next to you. The Sky’s more blue in Malibu,” croons Miley Cyrus on her latest single.
The stripped down, summer breeze tune sees her trying to turn over a new leaf. It’s the complete opposite of We Can’t Stop and Wrecking Ball from her previous chart-topping album, Bangerz.
In her latest interview will Billboard, Cyrus admitted to leaving behind the hip hop beats for her country and folk roots.
Malibu is a new direction for Cyrus, and a welcomed one, that sees her more relaxed than ever, judging by the guitar riffs, soft drums and acoustic vibe. The music video also has her in a very happy mood that just puts a smile on your face. It’s like a confession of her love to current beau Liam Hemsworth, so pure, earnest and beautiful.
A light and easy listen, it’s something you’d play on a Sunday evening or a chill night out with a lover or friends. Her vocals are amazing too. She’s matured and grown so much over the years. It may not be her best work but I’m liking the sound and direction she’s taking.
Looking forward to the rest of the album, out later this year. Fingers crossed!
Rating: 3.5/5 music, love, his tattoos and even got him to speak in Malay!
His hit single from the album that made him a superstar, Say You Won’t Let Go, wouldn’t have happened if not for one fateful phone call. “I was in LA. My best friend and I were just hanging in town when I got a call from the record label asking for a love song,” he revealed.
The album initially was just songs about redemption and coming back from the edge, which was essentially what his struggles were. But then he started thinking about love and how he could come up with such a song.”I didn’t want to make a typical love song, I wanted to say something honest. So yeah, it just struck me about the whole holdingyour-hair-back-when-you’re-throwing up honest lyrics,” he said.
A recent music video for Can I Be Him garnered praise and has over four million views. The song was, surprisingly, according to Arthur, “from my imagination”.
“I imagined the love of my life singing the song and hoping the song was about me,” he said, before adding, “Everybody wants to be that person for somebody. I was just trying to make something we can all feel and connect to.”
On the song, he croons: “When the lights come on and I’m on my own, will you be there to sing it again, could I be the one you talk about in all your stories.” It’s very emotional, honest, real and beautifully sung.
My other two favourites are Safe Inside and the album’s titular track. Arthur and the producers did a great job on this release, which exudes hope and optimism and loads of tough love. It’s a solid comeback and I’m sure this is only the tip of the iceberg for Arthur.
Rating: 4.5/5