Empowered and Enlightened: Miley Cyrus releases “Midnight Sky”

Miley Cyrus is owning her shit with her new single, music video, and guest spot on the Call Her Daddy podcast presented by Barstool Sports.

Miley channels Stevie Nicks and Aerosmith energy with her latest track, “Midnight Sky.”

She loves to cover classics and introduce her fans to iconic tracks they may not know from the past, but she wanted a song that was her own.

“Midnight Sky” certainly feels like it was recorded during the 80s, where she pulls her inspiration from. I have no doubt that the polished production and bold message will make this track timeless. 

Miley unapologetically went for it. The self-directed video captured her authentic spirit and featured five absolutely fabulous looks. She is THRIVING, and this song is a celebration of that growth. 

We know all of this from the only form of press she has agreed to: the Call Her Daddy podcast.

The nature of the podcast allows her to be particularly candid, honest and inspiring.

In true Call Her Daddy form, vulgar dick jokes were thrown around and there were even sparkly dildos present as table decor; but this episode was so much more than sex talk.

The last two years have been really transformative for Miley. She has gone through a  self-realization period, similar to the one that's going on universally and culturally right now. 

She details how she has always felt guilt for her privilege and how things came easily to her for most of her life, but recent trauma has sparked introspection. 

Her home with Liam Hemsworth burned down in a California wildfire, and she went through a massive breakup - ending a relationship that lasted 10 years. 

“One thing that I gained through all of the loss is an idea that what I do is for me.”

This is not selfish at all - it's empowering.

She was always surrounded by so many people so she had a fear of being alone. That transition from a full room to an empty one is dramatic, but it was time for a change. 

Miley went from Hannah Montana, an icon for kids, to a sexually liberated icon for several generations.

I find it intriguing how Hannah Montana’s entire persona was hiding her true self, Miley Cyrus, so that she could be this famous singer. But now, Miley is embracing all parts of herself loudly and clearly. 

We see this as early as Bangerz, where she attempts to completely rid herself of that Disney reputation, awakening her truest form. She literally disrupts the music scene swinging on wrecking balls and wearing minimal clothing. Miley no longer needed a blonde wig (however iconic) to hide underneath. 

Seven years later, she’s experiencing round two of this awakening. 

In retrospect, she didn't need to rid herself of her Disney past. She lived a dream life as Hannah Montana and even though it seemed like a nightmare when she wanted to escape it all as a young adult, she’s now she’s able to look back, appreciate it and accept it.

All of these experiences have contributed to her growth and allowed her to feel secure in who she is. 

Above all, this track was an opportunity for Miley to control her narrative. 

“The song was a bridge that I felt like was really missing from my narrative for my fans and for the public, and I am so happy that I was able to build it my fucking self.” 

As a woman she felt villainized for moving on from her relationship with Liam Hemsworth and that's not acceptable.

The media attacked her character and made her seem disloyal - but in reality, she’s not just a sexual being. Miley has countless other responsibilities that she puts more energy into than sex. 

There is always this gap between the public perception and the truth. She begs the question, how is someone taking a paparazzi shot from a helicopter allowed to tell her story for her? 

Miley’s first instinct is to lash out and say what's on her mind but she has never benefited from that before, so she is working on finding that control. 

“Fire in my lungs, can’t bite the devil on my tongue.” 

It now feels below her to immediately react and engage in that public opinion. Instead, she’s allowing life to do its magic and she channeled those feelings into her music. 

“Let me clap back at you when I can articulate it properly and poetically, and put it in my song...and then you can stream my clap back.” 

The episode of the podcast reveals a lot about Miley’s sexuality, and the song itself plays with gender roles. She felt it was important for everyone to relate to it no matter their sexual orientation. The lyrics reference “my lips on her mouth” and “his hands ‘round my waist.”

This gender swapping challenges the traditional formula for pop music where each chorus is exactly the same. 

In fact, Miley is always trying to challenge the system, and “Midnight Sky” is a great step towards normalizing these concepts for the LGBTQ community that she is so proud to be a part of. 

Miley also sheds some light on feminist topics. For example, she’s really into building her business, not her relationships right now, and she addresses the absurdity that it’s still not acceptable for a woman to take that path but men get praised for doing the same. 

She bought her own house and her own car with her own money; Miley considers herself a first generation boss in her family, and it feels incredible to not have to rely on others. 

This episode is honestly mind-blowing. Miley has learned so much about herself, her relationships, and how to move forward with her life in the best way. 

For so many years she was performing for millions of people and working to please others, and now she is able to take a step back and think about what makes her happy.

This is a music review, but I think everyone can take a page from her book - the new and improved Miley Cyrus is mature, logical and wise and advises against getting lost in emotion.

If you were hoping to hear more of the juicy stuff that was revealed, here are some fast facts: 

• She was actually attracted to females long before males. 

• She lost her virginity to Liam Hemsworth and lied about it to him for like 5 years.

• She’s often the more dominant role in a relationship. 

• Miley doesn’t have a type - the main thing for her is that her partener has to bring something to the table that is elevating her life.

For the rest of the tea, you’ll have to check out the podcast.