Miley Cyrus’ seventh album is PLASTIC HEARTS has proven well worth the wait after several teases of a new era to come. While it’s a tragedy that first single, the outstanding MIDNIGHT SKY didn’t chart higher than it deserved, it also is no shame that it peaked within the Top 10 of the Canadian Hot 100 and Top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. A phenomenal mash-up of Steve Nicks’ Edge of Seventeen recently was released giving the single a bit of new life, appearing on the digital version of the Album.
Cyrus pairs with Grammy-nominated Producer Andrew Watt on this collection which leans to the early-mid ’80s for inspiration in its range of gritty Dance Pop-Rock to earthy Rock Ballads. In addition to Nicks‘ help, she enlists the legends with Dua Lipa, Joan Jett and Billy Idol (who celebrates his 65th birthday today!) all making appearances. Coming out of a break-up, Cyrus‘ inspiration is fueled and she’s definitely got something to say here. Case in point, Midnight Sky lyrics: “See his hands ’round my waist/thought you’d never be replaced, baby/Ooh, you know it’s true, yeah”.
Current single Prisoner featuring Dua Lipa interpolates Olivia Newton-John’s Physical, and also sounds like it could’ve been a track from the collaborator’s sublime Future Nostalgia album. We’re here for this retro-glam-rock aesthetic.
No one pens a jam about heartbreak like Ryan Tedder and turning to him for help on guitar Rock Ballad Angels Like You, proves a great choice. She tackles being in some dark places emotionally, singing to a failed love with self-awareness, “I brought you down to your knees/’Cause they say that misery loves company”.
Cyrus hinted at turning to Britney Spears for inspiration on this collection and that can be heard on the seductive and self-assured Gimme What I Want. Once again, she sings of these dark places her mind resides, clear she isn’t looking for love right now: “Self-inflicted torture/You don’t have to ask/I just need a lover/So gimme what I want or I’ll give it to myself”.
Billy Idol contribution Night Crawling is an expression of unapologetic badness, the Track sounding like something right out of his catalog of Arena Glam-Rock, complete with his signature call-out, “Come on!”. Yeah!
Some of these sentiments are echoed on playful Joan Jett collabo Bad Karma. Cyrus spells-out her infidelity clearly on “You thinkin’ that I’m sleepin’ when I’m creepin’ in the night/They say it’s bad karma when you live a double life”. Can’t fault a girl for being consistent because the listening experience is cohesive here. We’re getting Adele-Rumour-Has-It vibes.
The Rock Ballad Never Be Me, co-written with Mark Ronson, manages to be heartfelt and affecting, with an edge. Cyrus bares her soul, putting everything on the table in the most authentic way. She sings, “But if you’re looking for stable/That’ll never be me/If you’re looking for faithful, that’ll never be me”.
Cyrus comments on the state of America and institutional patriarchy on closing track Golden G String. “The old boys hold all the cards and they ain’t playin’ gin/You dare to call me crazy/Have you looked around this place?”. Fun aside and that is the spirit of Plastic Hearts, this is Cyrus‘ true Singer-Songwriter moment.
It is hard not to love this latest effort from Cyrus. It shows confidence, gumption and artistry, validating exactly why it is we haven’t stopped caring about Miley. We can’t stop and we won’t stop. Hoping we get out of this Pandemic and get a Plastic Hearts Tour! One of 2020’s finest albums.
Plastic Hearts is available now in stores and digitally. Buy here.
We love this new version of Dua Lipa‘s latest single LEVITATING featuring Da Baby! It’s just perfect and what we need right now!
Check-out this brand-new Video, created together with TikTok!
(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)
Dua Lipa has released one of the year’s finest albums in FUTURE NOSTALGIA. She pairs with Producer The Blessed Madonna to bring us CLUB FUTURE NOSTALGIA, a flowing Remix Album which features collaborations with Missy Elliott, Gwen Stefani, Mark Ronson, Madonna and many more familiar snippets!
Check-out the Visualizer for the Album:
You can stream the entire album now.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)
Dua Lipa is prepared to gift us once again this Pandemic with even more amazing music. She’s just released this new Remix for the track LEVITATING featuring DJ/Producer The Blessed Madonna, Missy Elliott and Madonna herself! The Video for the Track just dropped and while Madonna doesn’t appear in it visually, her boyfriend Anwar Hadid does!
Check-out the Video:
Warner Music Canada release Club Future Nostalgia: The Remix Album Friday, August 28, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)
The third official single off Dua Lipa‘s masterpiece sophomore album FUTURE NOSTALGIA, is Hallucinate. They’ve had to get a bit creative with the Music Video amidst the pandemic, using animation!
See the Video:
FUTURE NOSTALGIA is available now.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)
It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from reigning GRAMMY-winning Best New Artist Dua Lipa! Presenting her latest single DON’T START NOW!
See the Trailer:
Check-out all the ways you can buy/stream it here.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)
2018 will go down as one of the best years in recent Cinema. While I’m not loving the current sound of what’s dominating the airwaves, there were a few Pop Gems that filled my heart and ears with joy. Those of you who are following me on Social Media know that my year was all about A STAR IS BORN. I had few expectations of it at the beginning of the year, but then came the Trailer in June and then came news of it premiering at TIFF ’18. Seeing it at the Festival, my year and life would be changed forever, single-handedly owning my two favourite realms, Music and Film. I am still not healed of the heartbreak I experience and can imagine what it’s like to be Lady Gaga or Bradley Cooper and carrying their characters with them after filming. If you still haven’t seen it, please do.
We loved the resurgence of the Musical with the likes of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Bohemian Rhapsody and Mary Poppins Returns performing v. well in numbers. The World needs a lift in spirits and these all came to save the day at the right time.
Music wise, we are ever-excited about Dua Lipa‘s blooming career and she has gifted us with several earworms which still stand the test of time at the end of year. While there wasn’t really a big single off it, Mariah Carey‘s critically-acclaimed Caution is definitely a smooth, cohesive listen. Cardi B‘s Invasion of Privacy gave us life in a big way this spring and likewise, there wasn’t one particular 2018 single which impacted us, the Album was on repeat for quite a while for us.
Here are my Best of 2018 Lists:
MUSIC
One Kiss – Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa
The Middle – zedd ft. Maren Morris
Electricity – Silk City ft. Dua Lipa
I’ll Never Love Again – Lady Gaga
Shallow – Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga
God is a Woman – Ariana Grande
Breathin – Ariana Grande
Lights Down Low – M△X
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart – Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus
Youngblood – 5 Seconds of Summer
FILM
A Star is Born
Green Book
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Crazy Rich Asians
Ben is Back
Love, Simon
A Quiet Place
Vice
The Favourite
Mary Poppins Returns
Check-out Team Mr. Will’s Best Picpicks of 2018 here.
2018 also was my best year for Selfies ever. Will I ever stop? Why stop at something you love this much? Sorry, haters!
Adam Brody
We’ve been at this game for what is approaching our tenth year and we’re showing no signs of stopping. We are indebted to you, our Readers for all the support and love you’ve shown all these years and we’ll never forget being named NOW Magazine Readers’ Choice Best Blogger this year. Thank you. To a stellar 2019!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Now in its third edition, iHeartRadio JINGLE BALL NORTH took place at Scotiabank Theatre, ringing-in the Holidays in festive fashion! The Audience was treated to a four-hour extravaganza headlined by The Chainsmokers, Dua Lipa, Khalid, Alessia Cara, Johnny Orlando, Lauv, Loud Luxury, bülow, EWXJF, Delaney Jane and more, a mixture of international and homegrown talent.
We’re delighted we got to hit-making headliners The Chainsmokers! They’ve been here so many times, we don’t believe it took this long to happen! Comprised of members Drew Taggart and Alex Pall, the Duo known for smash hits Don’t Let Me Down, Roses and Closer, currently are developing a Film based on their hit Paris with Tri-Star.
See our Snaps. Hover cursor right to navigate slideshow.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
One of 2017’s biggest emerging musical acts is about to make a huge splash stateside. Stunning 21-year-old English Singer/Songwriter Dua Lipa is making waves with current single Scared to be Lonely, a collabo with red-hot Producer/DJ Martin Garrix. In the UK, she already is an accomplished one garnering nominations at the recent BRIT AWARDS for a Critic’s Choice Award, BBC‘s Sound of 2016 and also being named NME‘s Best New Artist.
Dua Lipa played a sold-out show at Toronto’s Mod Club to night and if that weren’t enough she braved the cold in the same shimmery dress she donned on-stage to greet hundreds of fans following the show outside the venue!
See our Snaps:
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Check out Scared to be Lonely below:
Dua Lipa’s debut disc is due this summer via Warner Music Canada.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Music)
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