Miley Cyrus may be one of the most talked about artists at the moment, with people still talking about her VMA performance over a month later. She recently appeared on SNL as the host and musical guest, and she was amazing. She was hilarious in the skits, especially her parody of 'We Can't Stop', and she slayed her performances. She sat there and just sang her heart out, proving why she's a talented vocalist. Her album Bangerz is her third studio album, and it's a huge departure from her first two. This is the re-branding of Miley Cyrus, and she has done it well. The album is made up of break-up songs and "I don't care what you think about me" songs, meshing together to create what seems like a disjointed album on the surface very cohesive. I think the greatest ploy of all is that Miley has duped us once again into thinking that this is an album full of bangers. It most definitely filled with big tracks, many of which could potentially be singles, but below the surface they're masking Miley's transition into adulthood, her biggest fears and heartbreak taking center stage on the album, most of the time hiding elusively behind Mike WiLL Made It's production. The album is powerful in so many ways, and it takes a coupe listens to fully unsheathe the southern belle who is residing behind the pomp and circumstance of her music. Miley Cyrus is just being Miley ya'll, and she has us all under her spell.

1. Adore You - 7/10

Kicking off the album is a mid-tempo that you probably wouldn't expect an album called Bangerz to start with. 'Adore You' really shows off Miley's gorgeous vocals, letting her voice do all the work. It's a powerful love song, and I think it's a genius way to start the album because it sets the tone for what is actually a very break-up heavy album, and it also keeps people guessing as to what's going to come next. Once again, Miley has us under her grasp.

2. We Can't Stop - 8/10

The song that kicked off this whole new era of Miley is next, and what more really needs to be said? It was my song of the summer, and it's still a great song to jam out to. In tandem with 'Adore You', it sets the tone for the other part of the album which is all about not giving a damn about what people think and just being yourself. It sets the sonic tone of the more hip-hop/urban sound that the album encompasses. You can read my full review HERE.

3. SMS (Bangerz) [featuring Britney Spears] - 6/10

This next one is the first of many features on the album, and it couldn't be more fitting that it's with Miley's biggest idol and one of the leading ladies of pop music, Miss Britney Spears. The song is another Mike WiLL Made It tune that is urban and a bit of a hot mess, but the kind that you want to listen to over and over again. It's grown on me the more I've listened to it, but it's definitely the weakest song on the album which really says something about the quality overall. Check out what I had to say about the track when it originally dropped right HERE.

4. 4x4 (featuring Nelly) - 10/10

This is where things begin heating up, and we get our first undeniable standout track off Bangerz. '4x4' brings Miley's country roots to the forefront while mixing in some hip-hop elements to make a more current version of Miley's hit 'Hoedown Throwdown' from the Hannah Montana movie. Half the lyrics don't make sense, but it's undeniably catchy and you just want to go find a barn and and grab a partner to dance the hoedown with you. Nelly may seem like an odd choice, but with his success on Florida Georgia Line's 'Cruise' he fits in nicely. Such a jam.

5. My Darlin' (featuring Future) - 8/10

Rihanna, take notes. This is how your collaboration with Future is supposed to turn out. Rihanna collaborated with Future on her song 'Loveeeeeee Song' off her album Unapologetic if that gives you any indication as to what this song sounds like. 'My Darlin'' also takes the iconic song 'Stand By Me' and plays around with the melody. Miley makes it her own though, and it becomes something fresh and new. It's a slower jam where Miley's vocals really pierce the heart, and it's the perfect lead in to the smash heartbreaker 'Wrecking Ball'.

6. Wrecking Ball - 10/10

I mean, how can this song not be the highlight of Bangerz? 'Wrecking Ball' has changed so many people's minds about Miley because it's a power ballad that shows just how talented of an artist Miley truly is. I hear the song being played everywhere I go, people blast it in their cars as they drive through the streets of New York City, and at every opportunity they can people sing it in my classes. It's become iconic. Read my original review HERE.
7. Love Money Party (feat. Big Sean) - 7/10

Other than 'SMS (Bangerz)', this is a contender for weakest track on the album. 'Love Money Party' is a filler track for sure, with Miley experimenting around with her more urban persona. It sounds like one of those that Rihanna would record just for the sake of releasing another album. Big Sean's verse is actually the best part.

8. #GETITRIGHT - 8/10

'#GETITRIGHT' is a fun one, taking a break from the the more hip-hop influenced sound for a whistling jam. For the last week I've been trying to figure out what this song reminds me of, but for the life of me I just can't think of it. It's nothing special, but it's a cute one. It's the last song on here before Miley ramps up her creative juices for the incredible second half of Bangerz.

9. Drive - 10/10

Other than 'Wrecking Ball', this is the song I love the most. I honestly cannot express how perfect this song is. If it isn't released as a single I will never forgive RCA Records. This song is about her break-up with Liam Hemsworth, and it's a mid-tempo with an awesome beat, and when Miley sings the chorus I fall apart because she slays it. And I cry a bit. By far one of the best songs of her career, 'Drive' should convince you to buy this album alone.

10. FU (featuring French Montana) - 10/10

Keeping the Hot Tamale Train chugging away (to borrow a catch phrase from So You Think You Can Dance judge Mary Murphy), 'FU' is another standout track. Again, lyrically it's strange, but the song brings in the dubstep and features Miley's fiery, angry alter ego, getting out all her frustration and heartbreak. The collaboration with French Montana is perfect, and only makes the song better. It's a booty poppin' break-up track that you cannot live without. I want to hear more like this.

11. Do My Thang - 9/10

'Do My Thang' is another strong track with Miley telling us that she's just gonna do her thang and that we shouldn't worry about it. The song builds into what you think is going to be a huge David Guetta-style dance tune, and then it goes very urban and Miley brings out the rapping. This is her non-mainstream Nicki Minaj track where she gets the party turnt and proclaims, "I'm a crazy southern Belle, wilder than hell." She warned us!

12. Maybe You're Right - 8/10

As the standard version of the album begins coming to a close, 'Maybe You're Right' is a mid-tempo where Miley brings out her belting voice and sings about the pain that she's endured during her relationship with Liam. She questions whether Liam was right all along. It's powerful, and you can't help but sympathize with Miley.

13. Someone Else - 10/10

'Someone Else' could not be a better ending to an amazing album. The song is another Mike WiLL Made It track that is a big urban-pop song which Miley sings her heart out on while also giving us the emotion that this record has been rife with. Underneath the production is a girl that's hurting, and I think that is the hallmark of this album. Under a seemingly nonchalant and care-free sound that this album gives us is a girl who is maturing into a woman, and she has experienced what we all go through. She's been expressing this through her music, and that's what the track represents. No better way to end the album in my opinion.

Bonus Tracks

14. Rooting For My Baby - 7/10

For the first of three bonus tracks, 'Rooting For My Baby' takes an unexpected turn and gives us a more acoustic guitar-filled track with maybe even a few reggae elements. It's completely different than the rest of the album, but it's a nice slow song that I think would work surprisingly well in a live venue.

15. On My Own - 8/10

'On My Own' has the signature Pharrell sound to it, being a groovy bass guitar fueled track that brings funky town to Miley's record. The song works surprisingly well and I'm really diggin' it. I definitely don't think it fits well with the rest of Bangerz, but it's a nice break.

16. Hands In the Air (featuring Ludacris) - 9/10

For the final jam on the album, Miley teams up with Ludacris for a mid-tempo hip-hop number that is really great. This could totally have been on the standard edition of the album and have fit in nicely. It's a feel good song that could be played in the clubs. Bangerz ending with a banger. Perfect.

Tracks to Check Out: '4x4', 'Drive', 'FU', 'Do My Thang' and 'Someone Else'

Overall Rating: 8.5/10