Country singer Noah Cyrus grabs the genre by the horns on I WANT MY LOVED ONES TO GO WITH ME, her sophomore studio album. If you want genuine country music, look no further.
Accompanied by a melancholy guitar and other instrumentation, Cyrus’ voice meanders over spectacular yet raw lyrics. This is one of those albums that can be described as simply beautiful. It lacks some frills, but it also proves that they’re just that: frills. It ultimately doesn’t need expert layering or effects (though it’s far from shoddy thanks to a great production team).
It’s easy to discredit Cyrus’ success as the result of her last name. With a father who is an icon of 90s country and Hannah Montana’s actress for a sister, it might even be expected. Family certainly helped to get a feature as prominent as Blake Shelton as early as a sophomore album.
But the Cyrus name can’t explain how strong she is as a songwriter and musician in her own right or how amazing the album is. With vocals that can bring listeners to tears and lyrics of pure gold, this is the work of a remarkable talent, not a mere nepo baby.
The features of the album — Fleet Foxes on “Don’t Put It All On Me,” Ella Langley on “Way Of The World,” the aforementioned Shelton on “New Country” and Bill Callahan on “XXX” — aren’t just cool additions. They add a layer of collaboration to what might otherwise become a numbing procession of ballads.
With Fleet Foxes, “Don’t Put It All On Me” becomes brighter with the fantastic harmonies. “New Country” feels like a Cyrus pastiche of a Shelton song, and it works remarkably well.
Nonetheless, these features, as well as the other tracks on the album, don’t compare to the song that immediately took my heart: “Apple Tree.” From the second the piano starts, the song evokes an unexpected emotional weight that continues until the end.
The ending includes a special nod to Cyrus’ family, according to a press release; the artist’s grandfather, Ron Cyrus, sings a hymn written by her great-grandfather, Eldon Lindsey Cyrus. An appreciation for generations of loved ones has a tremendous impact on the album as a whole, down to the title itself.
“When I hear that part of the song, I see my mom tucking me in, I see us with my dad up on the hill by the fire. Memories of us all together flood my mind. That’s something I really hope for. Death itself doesn’t scare me, but the chance of never seeing my loved ones together again after death, terrifies me.”
Besides “Apple Tree,” a few of the standout tracks are “Don’t Put It All On Me,” “Man In The Field,” “Love Is A Canyon” and “XXX.” Still, this is an album best enjoyed in its entirety. Though it can get a little sluggish around the midpoint, Cyrus’ unique mix of intensity and restraint makes it a satisfying and cathartic listen.
If you need comfort or peace, this is an album you can turn to.
I WANT MY LOVED ONES TO GO WITH ME allows Cyrus to lean into a stoic and powerful Americana style, paying faithful tribute to a genre from which it takes and gives.
In an era of country music when the top of the charts can feel mass produced, she demonstrates exactly what the past — and the future — look like. This is a triumphant accomplishment and one which has made me a fan. Bravo.
