Miley Cyrus’s “End of the World“: 80s Dreams, Existential Joy, and a “Something Beautiful” Overture
A shimmering soundscape emerges, a blend of dreamy 80s-inspired pop and emotionally resonant introspection, marking the arrival of Miley Cyrus’s “End of the World.”
Released April 3rd, this track serves as the third glimpse into her highly anticipated album “Something Beautiful,” set to unfold on May 30th.
Imagine, if you will, a song that dances on the edge of melancholy, its upbeat production a vibrant counterpoint to lyrics that embrace living fully amidst looming chaos.
The chorus, a poignant invitation – “Let’s pretend it’s not the end of the world / The sky is falling, falling like a comet now” – encapsulates Cyrus’s knack for finding light within darkness, a thematic echo of her earlier work like “Rose Colored Lenses.”
This sonic tapestry was woven by Miley alongside a collective of talented minds: Shawn Everett, Michael Pollack, Jonathan Rado, and members of the indie band Alvvays, their collaborative spirit shaping its unique texture.
The track’s genesis traces back to an intimate piano ballad performance at Chateau Marmont in 2023, a seed that blossomed into its current disco-infused form.
The accompanying music video presents Cyrus in a striking custom green Mugler minidress by Casey Cadwallader, a vibrant figure against a backdrop of surreal visuals – reclining before a drum set, writhing on the floor – amplifying the song’s dreamy yet urgent undercurrent.
The lyrics themselves are rich with cultural touchstones and personal history. A suggestion to “spend the dollars you’ve been saving on a Mercedes Benz / And throw a party like McCartney with some help from our friends” nods to the camaraderie of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
A reflective line – “Yeah let’s go down to Malibu and watch the sun fade out once more” – evokes her 2017 song “Malibu,” a poignant reminder of her relationship with Liam Hemsworth and the loss of their home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire.
Critics have lauded “End of the World” for its emotional depth and nostalgic production, recognizing it as a standout moment within Cyrus’s evolving artistry, a compelling blend of vulnerability and infectious pop sensibility.
Fans eagerly anticipate its place within “Something Beautiful,” a project Cyrus herself has described as a “pop opera” and a “visual journey.”
This single acts as a compelling overture, setting the stage for what promises to be one of Miley Cyrus’s most ambitious and deeply personal projects to date, a cohesive narrative told through sound and vision.
Quotable Lyrics:
Today, you woke up and you told me that you wanted to cry
The sky was fallin’ like a comet on the Fourth of July
Baby, you’ve been thinkin’ ’bout the future like it’s already yours
Show me how you’d hold me if tomorrow wasn’t comin’ for sure
