Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus, was originally released independently on August 30, 2015. Later, on April 10, 2017, it saw a commercial release on iTunes and other streaming platforms under RCA Records. The project’s inception dates back to 2013, while Cyrus was planning it before the release of Bangerz.
Collaborating with the Flaming Lips, the psychedelic rock band and producers Mike Will Made It and Oren Yoel, who had previously worked on Bangerz, Cyrus created a unique album featuring guest vocals from artists like Big Sean, Sarah Barthel of Phantogram, and Ariel Pink.
Unexpectedly, Cyrus announced the free online streaming availability of Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz during her hosting of the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. The album garnered mixed reviews from critics, with some appreciating Cyrus’ ambition and experimentation, while others found the production and overall finish somewhat lacking.
To promote the album, Cyrus released music videos for tracks like “Dooo It!”, “Lighter,” and “BB Talk,” and performed “Karen Don’t Be Sad” and “Twinkle Song” during her hosting of Saturday Night Live. Additionally, she embarked on the Milky Milky Milk Tour between November and December 2015.
During the album’s production, Cyrus experienced a significant artistic transition, as she moved away from computer-generated music to embrace the Flaming Lips’ live instrumentation. The project was influenced by personal experiences, including the death of her beloved dog Floyd in April 2014, and her hospitalization due to a severe allergic reaction to antibiotics.
Collaborating with Wayne Coyne and the Flaming Lips, Cyrus found inspiration for her fifth studio album and began writing material in May 2014. The collaboration with producer Mike Will Made It also contributed to the creation of several tracks for the album. Cyrus’ desire to explore a different musical direction led her to sever ties with producer Dr. Luke.
In summary, Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz showcases Miley Cyrus’ artistic evolution, blending experimentation and live instrumentation, and is influenced by personal experiences and collaborations with talented musicians and producers. The album received both praise and criticism but remains a notable milestone in Cyrus’ musical journey.
