I have my brother to thank for introducing me to Noah Cyrus through her duet version of July with Leon Bridges and her P.J. Harding duet Dear August that has since become one of my favorite songs ever. While many people still know her mainly as the younger sister of superstar Miley Cyrus, Noah is incredibly talented in her own right as an alternative pop artist. She has a beautiful, beautiful voice and is proving herself to be a good songwriter as well, and rightfully so.
Fact Dump, Fact Dump (information current as of July 2023):
-23 years old (she's a Capricorn)
-Born in Nashville, Tennessee
-Singer, actress, songwriter
-Vocalist
-Has released 2 solo EPs, 1 collaborative EP with P.J. Harding, and 1 studio album
We're only going to focus on Cyrus's solo work for this post, but Dear August is on that collaborative EP so I can't recommend checking that song out enough. Let's get started!
Good Cry (2018)
Cyrus's debut pop EP was released September 21st, 2018 by Records/Columbia when she was 18 years old. With a run time of 23:41, the EP had one single released: Mad at You (9/7/18). I know she was 18 when this came out, but I was initially surprised by how noticeably young Cyrus sounded as opposed to the other songs of hers I've listened to. It's definitely still a good listen, but it's way more poppy than her other works that have begun to take on more of a singer-songwriter, almost country-type feel to them. Here's my Top 3:
Track 2: Mad at You with Gallant (written by N. Cyrus, S. Aarons, T. Hull)
The big, dramatic vocals of this song really hit for, especially in the choruses. That mixed with the piano only accompaniment create a lot of space and light in the song and make it something really special. It's a strong start for the EP and for Cyrus's career as well.
We need to talk, you should see I don't wanna start a fight/But the minute it gets to my lips, I can feel my tongue is tied/And my eyes start watering, I can't stop you when you lie/Baby, we need to talk, 'cause I think that is time I walk away/Before you start calling my name, 'cause when you start begging me to stay/It's gonna be hard as hell, and baby, you know me well/No matter what you do, I can never be mad at you/And you only love yourself, for me there's no one else/No matter what you do, I can never be mad, mad, mad at you/Mad, mad at you
Track 3: Good Cry (written by M. Bester, N. Cyrus, T. Apte)
It's the beat on this one for me; I like the swing in it and that you can just feel those drums throughout the song. Everything in this song just works really well together, from instrumentation to vocals to lyrics. It's a vibe for sure.
I've been drinking this best drop for days/The man across the bar taught me his ways/They try to send me home, but I can't be alone/The cigarette smoke all in my space/I can't find my old self through the haze/I’m searching dusk to dawn, I guess that girl is gone/I took one good look at my face/The reality hits like a train/I don't know why when, I open my eyes I find I’m/Hopeless, feeling so hopeless/Honey, I drink 'til I'm sick, this weed don't do shit/I’m choking on my breathe/I’m loveless, feeling so loveless/Darling, the sky makes me sad, the blues got me bad/Oh, I just need a good cry
Track 5: Sadness (written by C. Tighe, J. Hansson, T. Campbell)
Lyrically, this song is my favorite of these three for this EP. Depression is an overarching theme in Cyrus's music, and I just appreciate how matter-of-factly she sings about it instead of hiding or sugarcoating it. The vocals on the choruses are also awesome to add to that.
Three years of therapy still hasn't got me right/I still wake up crying on the floor/And I know I feel too much sometimes/Is that so wrong/So just keep your emotional support/Oh, I just gotta do this on my own/I’ll ask all my demons what they want/Think it's time we all just got along, yeah/So I'm trying to be friends with my sadness/Having drinks with my fears and bad habits/We're all in this together, we forever rise and fall/So I'm trying to be friends with my sadness
THE END OF EVERYTHING (2020)
Cyrus's sophomore pop EP was released May 15th, 2020 by Record/Columbia when she was 20 years old. With a run time of 24 minutes, the EP had four singles released: July (7/31/19); Lonely (9/27/19); I Got So High That I Saw Jesus (3/20/20); and Young & Sad (7/13/20). This EP still has a pop sound, but it's a little darker and grittier sounding than Good Cry. I enjoyed it a lot, and Cyrus's vocal maturity just in two years is noticeable and really cool to hear. Here's my Top 3 for this one:
Track 4: Lonely (written by N. Cyrus, R. Spreckley)
The piano on this song is beautiful and dances with Cyrus's vocals perfectly. We have more of those big, grand choral vocals on the chorus like in Mad at You, but they're used more sparingly here to create a different effect. Another banger that's not to be missed out of her catalog.
I'm slowly killin' myself/I’m trying so hard at the back of the shelf/It's just the same every day/I’m writing these songs that will never get played/I get told what's wrong and what's right/I don't have a romantic life/And everyone's dying, so I keep on trying/To make 'em proud before they are gone/But can't someone help me/Oh, please, someone help me/I don't care, anyone, anything/‘Cause I'm so sick of being so lonely/Miss all my family/I don't care, anyone, anything/‘Cause I'm so sick of being so lonely
Track 5: Young & Sad (written by N. Cyrus, P. Harding, R. Armstrong)
It's really sweet to me that Cyrus starts this song off with a voicemail from her dad, who of course is Billy Ray Cyrus. The lyrics on this one are great as well, and the second verse of her comparing her personality to her older sister punched me in the heart a little bit. We're starting to get a more alternative, almost country feel with this song, which as it turns out is a great sound for her.
They say, "You should smile more, darlin', show your eyes more/Aren't you satisfied,"
I'm tired of tryna please some/One who doesn't even care what's on my mind/Let me go, I don't need you to wipe my tears/Don't you know I'm only tryin' to disappear/Don't wanna be young and sad another day longer/Don't wanna feel numb or mad until I go under/And I know that you only want me to be happy, but I still feel lonely tonight/Don't wanna be young and sad another day longer/Another day longer
Track 6: July (written by M. Sonier, N. Cyrus, P. Harding)
While I do tend to prefer the Leon Bridges duet version of this song a bit more, the solo version is still awesome. The vocals are so strong with these pretty, delicate runs in the pre-choruses, and the whole vibe is slightly haunting in the best way. Listen to both of them, you can't go wrong.
I've been holding my breath, I’ve been counting to ten over something you said/I’ve been holding back tears, while you're throwing back beers, I’m alone in bed/You know I, I'm afraid of change/Guess that's why we stay the same/So tell me to leave, I’ll pack my bags, get on the road/Find someone that loves you better than I do, darling, I know/‘Cause you remind me every day I’m not enough, but I still stay
The Hardest Part (2022)
Cyrus's debut country-soul/acoustic pop album was released September 16th, 2022 by Records/Columbia Records when she was 22 years old. With a run time of 33:46, the album had six songs released as singles: I Burned LA Down (4/8/22); Mr. Percocet (5/13/22); Ready to Go (6/23/22); Every Beginning Ends (8/26/22); I Just Want a Lover (9/16/22); and Noah (Stand Still) (9/22/22). This album takes the sound and vibe of THE END OF EVERYTHING and turns it up a notch, and it really, really works. There are some serious bangers on this track list, and the album as a whole gives me high hopes for her career moving forward. Here's my final Top 3 for this post:
Track 3: Mr. Percocet (written by J. Evigan, N. Cyrus, P. Harding, S. Hudson)
After Dear August, this is my favorite Noah Cyrus song right now. The lyrics are heartbreaking, the guitar is incredible, and the whole package leaves you thinking about it for the rest of the day. It's a song I can listen to on repeat, and I sincerely hope I never get tired of this song.
You are overly sensitive, so I won't say much/But my heart gets pulled into pieces whenever you're poured up/You are malevolent and benevolent/You are the devil that I revel in/I barely recognize you when you wake up in the morning/Must be someone else's eyes that I look into every night/You're only kind when you're all fucked up/You're only mine 'til your high is gone/But I wish you'd still love me when your drugs wear off in the morning
Track 10: Loretta's Song (written by N. Cyrus, P. Harding, M. Crossey)
I love the guitar on this song, and when Cyrus's ethereal vocals are added on top it gives it a very classic country feeling. I honestly checked to see if this was a Loretta Lynn cover or if it sampled her somehow, and was surprised to not see Lynn listed anywhere on the song. It's a beautiful, somewhat simple song that is absolutely worth a listen.
When I'm gone, don't cry for me/When I'm gone, don't cry for me/I’ve waited so long, now I'm free/So when I'm gone, don't cry for me/Lay no roses at my feet/Lay no roses at my feet/‘Cause where I'm going, He waits for me/So lay no roses at my feet/‘Cause life's too long for to keep regrets/And love's too strong to lay down for dead/I know you're hurting, but it's not the end/So hold on, darlin', I will see you again
Track 11: Noah (Stand Still) with Billy Ray Cyrus (written by N. Cyrus, P. Harding, M. Crossey)
I went back and forth about using the Noah/Billy Ray duet version or the solo version of this song for the post quite a bit. I landed on the duet because I'm a sucker for a parent/child collaboration and it reminded me a bit of the duet Billy Ray and Miley did when I was in high school, Ready, Set, Don't Go. The message of this song is honest and heartfelt, and the advice to slow down and collect yourself when life gets to be too much is something people need to hear at any age.
When I turned 20, I was overcome/With the thought that I might not turn 21/Death upon my doorstep, if I took just one more step/There'd be nothing left of me except these songs/And my father told me/“Noah, when you don't know where you're going/Just stand still, soon enough you will/And when all the hope and joy you feel turns into paranoia/‘Cause it will, remember, just stand still”/Just stand still/Just stand still, oh
I hope you found some great music to check out from this talented artist today. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!
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