until I die / But I let go” hints that the song is about Cyrus’ divorce with Liam Hemsworth. Knowing the context of this song makes it even more enjoyable. While I have not gone through a divorce like Cyrus, the song is still relatable for anyone that feels misunderstood by those around them. It is because of lines like “Think that I'm the problem? Honey, I'm the solution” that makes this song one of my favorites so far. 

     “Plastic Hearts”, the song which is the album’s namesake, expresses a similar meaning but has even cooler guitar riffs. The following song, “Angels Like You”, is not my style: it is very soulful and slow-paced. If you do enjoy that style, it is also employed in tracks 8, 9, 11 and 12. As to my opinion, I will follow the golden rule: if I have nothing nice to say, I won’t say anything at all. I extend that sentiment to the songs “Prisoner” and “Gimme What I Want” since they lyrically resemble pop songs, but have rock instrumentals.

     For the Billy Idol fans, “Night Crawling” is a treat. Though, fair warning, Cyrus definitely outshines Idol. Instrumentally, it has all the staples of a rock ‘n roll song: dramatic intro and outro with heavy beats, epic guitar riffs and shrieks from the singers. Lyrically, though, the song focuses on giving into evil and the Devil; Cyrus and Idol sing that they “Gotta listen when the Devil's callin'” and “Can't shake it.” As I listen to the song, I cannot help but be enticed to listen to my own Devil because of how catchy the song is. If you’re about to do something impulsive, this is definitely the song you should blast.

     Anyone on TikTok or Instagram Reels will recognize the next song, “Midnight Sky.” “Midnight Sky” was released back in August, and I think it has aged well. This was the first original song that shed light on Cyrus’ emerging rock persona, so it ranks high on my list. Cyrus made the right choice releasing this song first; it is insanely catchy and has the perfect ratio of pop/dance to rock in it to allure all types of listeners. Like many other songs on the album, it references her divorce with Hemsworth in a liberating manner. Overall, “Midnight Sky” is a song of empowerment and independence, as shown by chorus lyrics of: “I was born to run, I don't belong to anyone, oh no / I don't need to be loved by you.”

     While Cyrus outshined Idol in “Night Crawling,” Joan Jett takes the lead in “Bad Karma.” The song is about three minutes long, but it really doesn’t get good until about halfway through once Jett powers through the chorus and Cyrus and Jett do the bridge. “Bad Karma” is sung very softly throughout the majority of the verses, which I dislike, but it makes the bridge and chorus very impactful.

     The last three songs on the albums are a remix and the two covers I mentioned at the beginning of the article. The covers are phenomenal, but I want to focus on the remix of “Midnight Sky” with Stevie Nicks. Anyone that has been in my car knows I love the song “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks, and this song remixes it with “Midnight Sky”. The two songs are integrated together so beautifully, with new ad libs by both singers. Cyrus’ voice blends so well with Nicks’. The remix leaves me speechless. Returning to rock classics allows for the album to conclude nicely.

     Overall, the album Plastic Hearts is a rock album fueled by Cyrus’ divorce with Hemsworth, leaving us with empowering and unapologetic songs. While not all the songs are my cup of tea, and many of the songs have the same meaning or still have pop influence, the album was refreshing to hear. Plastic Hearts makes me wish that Cyrus had embraced her inner rockstar sooner.