The Endless Summer Vacation album by Miley Cyrus is out now

Endless Summer Vacation by Miley Cyrus is a number of things, including a self-described love letter to Los Angeles, a day split into "AM" and "PM" songs, a new beginning on the new label home of Columbia Records, and a commercial comeback thanks to lead single "Flowers," which became Cyrus' first Hot 100 chart-topper in almost ten years.

But, Endless Summer Vacation is most definitely an apotheosis. After spending the decade that followed her Disney Channel ascent experimenting with various popular music genres, including hip-hop, country-pop, and guitar-rock, Cyrus positions her most recent full-length as a culmination of her experiences and strengths, incorporating a variety of sonic techniques. One of the more talented pop performers of her time, Cyrus is fully aware of who she is, and Endless Summer Vacation takes into account both her past and potential future.

Endless Summer Vacation includes nods to the psychedelica of the Dead Petz era, the sturdy rock of Plastic Hearts, and the trap beats of Bangerz as Cyrus revisits relationships that didn't work out, peaceful blips that should have lasted longer, and personal truths that have led her to this moment as a fully self-assured 30-year-old. "Flowers" previewed the album's overall pop-rock approach, but Endless Summer Vacation also includes.

Brandi Carlile and Sia appear on "Thousand Miles" and "Muddy Feet," respectively, although their voices are largely utilized to support Cyrus' own, which has always been a magnificent instrument but has developed even greater nuance. The topics are delivered firmly, and the guest list is small. Throughout the entire album, she sings with purpose, giving phrases that might be sung in any typical pop song enough individuality to persuade the listener that, no, only Miley could sing this.