With the album set for release in March, Miley's first single 'Flowers' is breaking records and hearts worldwide. In just one week, her latest track achieved more than 100 million streams on Spotify making it the most streamed song in a seven-day period in Spotify history, and it continues to rack up more streams around the globe.
The success is no surprise to fans of Miley. But 'Flowers' is not just catchy, it reads as a deeply personal track for the singer, one that has everyone talking.
Miley’s previous works have often been poignant and powerful songs that have followed her through each phase of her career. Most notably, her 2009 release 'The Climb' helped her set records. The song was selected from the 'Hannah Montana' feature film soundtrack, which rocketed to the top of the US Billboard Top 200. This achievement was all the more notable for the then 16-year-old singer as it placed her in the record books. Miley Cyrus was the youngest singer in history to have four number one albums on the Billboard Top 200. Her 2013 release, 'Wrecking Ball' from her 'Bangerz' album, saw her again gain international recognition with the single reaching the top of the singles charts and selling more than one million copies.
'Flowers' is another empowering anthem, rife with statements of self-love, independence and reflection. “I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand," she sings, “I can love me better than you can.” The track is backed by a strong music video, depicting Cyrus living her best life. She is seen dancing in the streets in a stunning gold dress, before arriving at her home where she strips down, swims, works out and ends the clip in a rooftop performance.
While ‘Flowers’ is strong and powerful, it is also full of love and sentimentality: “We were good, we were gold, the kind of dream that can’t be sold,” she reflects. While many have commented on how the lyrics and accompanying music video may speak to her personal life and past relationships, Miley is yet to speak publicly about her intentions behind the track – adding to its mystery, and the buzz online.
"I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand."
In January, 'Flowers' debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. Following the news, Miley posted a message to her fans via Instagram: “Thankful that 'Flowers' is number one around the world. This song is dedicated to my fans and the steadfast self love I wish for each of you. Forever grateful, Miley.” A follow up Instagram post listed ‘Flowers’ as charting at number one in 14 countries across the world, including Australia.
The song is earning Miley praise worldwide for the candid story of her life, even her very famous godmother Dolly Parton is gushing about 'Flowers'. “I love that song. Miley is so great. I mean, I just am so proud of her as a singer and songwriter,” the '9 To 5' singer told US Weekly earlier this year.
'Flowers' is the first release from her forthcoming studio album 'Endless Summer Vacation', the eighth album to be released by the singer. Six of her previous have already reached number one on the US charts. In January 2023, Cyrus released a sultry teaser trailer for the album on YouTube, promising a different, darker direction as she moves into this new era of both her music and her life.
The album follows the release of her 2020 album 'Plastic Hearts', which Rolling Stone described as her “most self-assured record yet”. It was also widely regarded as her post-divorce record. But despite the references to her previous relationship in the first track, ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ is set to be more than post-divorce Miley again. 'New Year, New Miley' is the phrase adorning billboards across the world, and it’s clear that Miley Cyrus has rediscovered herself.
Given Miley’s affinity for reinvention, it’s unsurprising that her 2023 release will see a change for the singer. Much like many of the great pop stars before her, Cyrus has harnessed the force of self-transformation. It’s no easy task transitioning from child star to global chart-topper, but Miley has managed to surprise time and again, while not only retaining but gaining fans as her career reaches new heights with each new phase of her career.
'Endless Summer Vacation' is set for release on 10 March. ‘Flowers’ is out now.
