- Words Notion Staff
To celebrate the release of her latest single, "Flowers", look back on 10 underrated tracks from Miley's chameleonic career.
"7 Things"
Hitting pop perfection on 2008's 'Breakout', "7 Things" lives on as the most iconic track (rumoured to be) written about Nick Jonas.
"See You Again"
Recently resurfacing as a regular feature in Miley's live shows, we first heard "See You Again" on the artist's first official full-length project in her own name, released alongside 'Hannah Montana 2'. Perfectly capturing the teenage way you can fall apart in front of a crush, it's a song (and feeling) still resonating 15 years later.
"Adore You"
Opening 'Bangerz' - an album better known for its pop tracks and the heavy hitting "Wrecking Ball" - stripped-back "Adore You" felt like a quietly confident clean slate to kickstart a new era for Miley.
"Rooting for My Baby"
Another quietly confident number on 'Bangers', "Rooting for My Baby" feels grounded by the artist's country music roots. Sitting in a different sonic world from the rest of the album at a time where Miley was grafting to be taken seriously as an artist, it foretold what we now know well - whether she's embracing pop or rock, Miley Cyrus is an artist with range.
"On A Roll" (Ashley O)
Who could forget Miley's 2019 appearance in Black Mirror as pop star / interactive robotic doll Ashley O? Whether it was intended to be a satirical pop song or not, the track is one of Miley's certified bad bitch anthems.
"Butterfly Fly Away" with Billy Ray Cyrus
As part of the 'Hannah Montana: The Movie' soundtrack, emotional duet "Butterfly Fly Away" is up there with our most enduring guilty pleasures from Hannah Montana.
"Bad Karma" with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
In 2020 we saw Miley, seemingly more herself than ever, step into her next iteration as an artist with rock-influenced album 'Plastic Hearts'. With collabs with Dua Lipa, Stevie Nicks and Billy Idol all getting their moment, unapologetic "Bad Karma" with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (featuring guitar by Ashley Olsen - yes, really) never received the attention it deserves.
"Wrecking Ball X Nothing Compares 2 U - Live"
From "Jolene" to "Heart of Glass", Miley's gained a rep for iconic covers over the years. As part of her live album 'ATTENTION' last year, "Wrecking Ball" - which true fans know is still her best live song - and "Nothing Compares 2 U" mashup stole the show, eclipsed only by her recent duet cover of the track with Dolly Parton.
"The Most"
Miley's entire 'SHE IS COMING' EP is underrated, but "The Most" feels particularly overlooked. Like a long-awaited, elevated second evolution of "The Climb", it showcases Miley's vocals at their best.
"Slide Away"
The ultimate breakup anthem, "Slide Away" felt like a heart-wrenching follow-up to 2017's "Malibu". Saying goodbye to her marriage and heading 'back to the city life', "Slide Away" is a timeless ode to choosing yourself and letting it go.