Younger Now

{{Short description|2017 studio album by Miley Cyrus}} {{About|the album|its title track|Younger Now (song)}} {{Distinguish|Younger You}} {{Use American English|date=August 2017}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}} {{Infobox album | name = Younger Now | type = studio | artist = Miley Cyrus | cover = Miley Cyrus - Younger Now (Official Album Cover).png | border = yes | alt = | released = {{Start date|2017|9|29}} | recorded = 2016–2017 | studio =  * Capitol Studios, United Recording, The Whitley Room (Los Angeles) * Rainbowland (Malibu) | genre = * Country pop<ref name="Guardian-Review"/> * pop rock<ref name="Spin">{{cite web |first=Jordan |last=Sargent |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/10/miley-cyrus-younger-now-album-review |title=Review: Miley Cyrus' Younger Now Is Her Least Honest Album Ever |work=Spin |date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=October 5, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Pitchfork"/>  | length = {{Duration|m=41|s=11}} | label = RCA | producer = * Miley Cyrus * Oren Yoel | prev_title = Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz | prev_year = 2015 | next_title = She Is Coming | next_year = 2019 | misc = {{singles | name = Younger Now | type = studio | single1 = Malibu | single1date = May 11, 2017 | single2 = Younger Now | single2date = August 18, 2017 }} }}

'''''Younger Now''''' is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus. It was released on September 29, 2017, by RCA Records. Cyrus began planning a commercial follow-up record to her fourth studio album ''Bangerz'' (2013) while simultaneously making her experimental fifth studio album ''Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz'' (2015),<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6671437/miley-cyrus-next-album-not-a-miley-record|title=Miley Cyrus' Next Album is 'Not a Miley Record: Source|last=Aswad|first=Jem|magazine=Billboard|date=August 24, 2015|access-date=August 18, 2017}}</ref> although later became influenced by her reconciliation with fiancé Liam Hemsworth in 2016. ''Younger Now'' was written and produced by Cyrus and Oren Yoel, with whom she had collaborated on her previous two full-lengths. Not concerning herself with radio airplay, their efforts resulted in an "honest" final product that sees Cyrus "leaning into her roots."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7783997/miley-cyrus-cover-story-new-music-malibu|title=Miley Cyrus Breaks Silence on Rootsy New Music, Fiance Liam Hemsworth & America: 'Unity Is What We Need'|last=Norris|first=John|magazine=Billboard|date=May 3, 2017|access-date=August 18, 2017}}</ref> It features guest vocals from singer Dolly Parton, Cyrus' godmother. Musically, it is a country pop and pop rock record.

''Younger Now'' received mixed reviews from music critics, who felt that the songwriting and production lacked substance. It debuted at number five on the US ''Billboard'' 200. "Malibu" and "Younger Now" were released as singles, with the former track being certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and peaking at number ten on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

Looking to remove herself from the provocative reputation she had developed while promoting ''Bangerz'' and ''Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz'', promotional efforts for ''Younger Now'' associated Cyrus with an increasingly conservative image.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/08/18/miley-cyrus-younger-now-continues-her-sanitized-reinvention-new-single/579230001/|title=Miley Cyrus' 'Younger Now' continues her sanitized reinvention|last=McDermott|first=Maeve|newspaper=USA Today|date=August 18, 2017|access-date=August 18, 2017}}</ref> She performed during several television programs, including the ''Billboard'' Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards, before stating the month following the release of the album that she would neither release any further singles from the record nor tour for it, so she could focus on her work on ''The Voice''.

==Background and development== After a three-year break from music, Cyrus released her fourth album ''Bangerz'' in 2013. She worked with mainstream producers to attract new listeners, and developed a sexually provocative image, which is credited with reviving Cyrus' career and turning her into a pop music icon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a10290838/miley-cyrus/|title=Miley Cyrus On Her Wild Past, Reinvention and Being a "F*cking Role Model"|date=July 13, 2017|website=Harpersbazaar.com|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/photos/pop-star-real-names/miley-cyrus/|title=What is Miley Cyrus' real name?|website=Capital.fm|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> She followed that with a psychedelic album, ''Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz'', which was released for free on SoundCloud in 2015. It received mixed reviews, and Cyrus generated accusations of cultural appropriation for her wearing dreadlocks during promotional activities for the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/05/miley-cyrus-appropriating-hip-hop-culture|title=A Timeline of Miley Cyrus Appropriating Hip-Hop Culture|website=Complex|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> Cyrus also came out as pansexual in 2015, nearly a year after establishing the Happy Hippie Foundation to support homeless and LGBT youth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/beauty/miley-cyrus-identifies-as-pansexual-what-does-127797473807.html|title=Miley Cyrus Identifies As Pansexual. What Does That Mean, Exactly?|website=Yahoo.com|date=August 28, 2015 |access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/music/features/miley-cyrus-the-voice-donald-trump-vmas-woody-allen-coming-out-pansexual-1201884281/|title=Miley Cyrus on 'The Voice,' Donald Trump and Coming Out|website=Variety.com|first=Ramin|last=Setoodeh|date=October 11, 2016|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref>

Cyrus became a coach on ''The Voice'' in 2016, and spent time campaigning for Hillary Clinton during the presidential election after Bernie Sanders, the candidate Cyrus originally endorsed, lost the Democratic nomination to Clinton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/miley-cyrus-hillary-clinton-campaign_us_580e6122e4b02444efa4bb2d|title=Miley Cyrus Had The Best Time Campaigning For Hillary Clinton This Weekend|first=Julia|last=Brucculieri|website=Huffingtonpost.com|date=October 24, 2016|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> Cyrus admitted to being saddened by Clinton's loss, inspiring her to write songs like Inspired.<ref name="billboard.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-reaction-hillary-clinton-loss-video-donald-trump-7572629/|title=Miley Cyrus Says She 'Accepts' Donald Trump In Emotional Video After Hillary Clinton's Presidential Loss|website=Billboard.com|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Garcia-Navarro |first=Lulu |date=2017-09-24 |title='I'm Not Afraid Of Who I Used To Be': Miley Cyrus On 'Younger Now' |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/09/24/552924293/-i-m-not-afraid-of-who-i-used-to-be-miley-cyrus-on-younger-now |access-date=2026-04-05 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref>

Two weeks before ''Younger Now'' was released, Cyrus stated that she was "over [the album]" and was "already two songs deep on the next one," which would become the EP ''She Is Coming'' (2019).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/music/miley-cyrus-already-over-new-album/|title=Miley Cyrus Is Already 'Over' Her New Album: 'I Want To Figure Out What I Want to Do Next'|last=Quinn|first=Dave|work=People|date=September 16, 2017|access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref> In December 2018, Cyrus acknowledged that the musical direction of ''Younger Now'' "wasn't exactly the home for [her]" and credited producer Mark Ronson with "[helping her] carve out [her] sound, where [she] could do everything that [she wanted], which is more modern" for the follow-up record.<ref name="Teases">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3106509/miley-cyrus-teases-seventh-album-mike-will-made-it/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212031822/http://www.mtv.com/news/3106509/miley-cyrus-teases-seventh-album-mike-will-made-it/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2018|title=Miley Cyrus's Next Album Will Probably Sound More Like Bangerz Than Younger Now|last=Roth|first=Madeline|publisher=MTV|date=December 11, 2018|access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref> She later stated that elements of the follow-up album could be related to the "country-influenced things that [she] did on ''Younger Now''."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_7-bSmJf8k|title=Miley Cyrus cuenta detalles de su trilogía de EPs: She Is Coming, She Is Here y She Is Everything|publisher=Los 40. YouTube|date=June 7, 2019|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref>

==Composition== ''Younger Now'' is considered a country pop and pop rock record.<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|title=Miley Cyrus: Younger Now Album Review|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/miley-cyrus-younger-now/last=Lobenfeld|author=Claire|work=Pitchfork|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It written by Cyrus and Oren Yoel, with whom Cyrus first collaborated on the ''Bangerz'' track "Adore You" in 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-younger-now-malibu-producer-oren-yoel-5-other-tracks-7942035/|title=Miley Cyrus' 'Younger Now' Producer Oren Yoel: 5 Tracks You Didn't Know He Helmed for the Star|last=Williams|first=Nick|magazine=Billboard|date=August 31, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref>

==Promotion== ===Release=== {{Quote box | quote = "[Cyrus' mother Tish] was like, 'When you were a little girl, all you wanted to do was wear high heels and tights.' I wanted to be so mature. And she said, 'I swear to God, you are younger now than you were years ago,' And it just hit me: I am fucking younger now, and I am proud of that." | source = — Cyrus describing the meaning of the album title to ''Billboard'' magazine<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-younger-now-album-what-we-know-7941851/|title=What We Know About Miley Cyrus' 'Younger Now'|last=Norris|first=John|magazine=Billboard|date=August 24, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> | width = 25% | align = right }}

Cyrus' then-untitled sixth studio album was first discussed in a ''Billboard'' cover story published in May 2017.<ref name="BillboardCoverStory">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7783997/miley-cyrus-cover-story-new-music-malibu|title=Miley Cyrus Breaks Silence on Rootsy New Music, Fiance Liam Hemsworth & America|last=Norris|first=John|magazine=Billboard|date=May 3, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> On August 7, she announced that the record would be titled ''Younger Now'' and would be released on September 29.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-announces-new-album-younger-now-202437/|title=Miley Cyrus Announces New Album 'Younger Now'|last=Leight|first=Elias|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 8, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> It was made available for preorder on August 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/mileycyrus/status/898405139542716417|title=#YoungerNow video is OUT!!! Pre - order the album |first=Miley Ray|last=Cyrus|website=Twitter.com|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> The album was available on CD, digital download, and streaming on the release date;<ref name="Amazon"/> a vinyl pressing followed on February 9, 2018.<ref name="FNAC"/>

===Singles=== The lead single "Malibu" was announced on May 3, 2017,<ref name="BillboardCoverStory"/> and released with its music video on May 11.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1940485/miley-cyrus-malibu/video/|title=Miley Cyrus – "Malibu" Video|last=Breihan|first=Tom|publisher=Stereogum|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> It debuted at number 64 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/miley-cyrus-malibu-hot-100-chart-moves/|title=Hot 100 Chart Moves: Miley Cyrus Makes Waves With 'Malibu'|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|date=May 18, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> and peaked at number ten the following week.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/luis-fonsi-daddy-yankee-despacito-hot-100-number-one-miley-cyrus-malibu/|title=Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Hold Atop Hot 100, Miley Cyrus Soars to Top 10|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|date=May 22, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> The track was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in January 2019.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|title=Malibu|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|access-date=January 13, 2019}} The second and final single, title track "Younger Now", was released with its music video on August 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2017/08/miley-cyrus-unveils-new-single-younger-now-stream/|title=Miley Cyrus unveils new single "Younger Now" and video: Stream|last=Kaye|first=Ben|publisher=Consequence of Sound|date=August 17, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> It peaked at number 79 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1964174/the-path-to-a-hit-single-is-changing-just-ask-miley-cyrus-demi-lovato/franchises/the-week-in-pop/|title=The Path To A Hit Single Is Changing – Just Ask Miley Cyrus & Demi Lovato|last=DeVille|first=Chris|publisher=Stereogum|date=September 28, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> Promotional singles "Inspired" and "Week Without You" were released on June 9 and September 21, respectively.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/2017/06/09/miley-cyrus-new-single-inspired/|title=Miley Cyrus cries for 'more love' on new single 'Inspired'|last=King|first=Eric|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/09/miley-cyrus-week-without-you/|title=Miley Cyrus – "Week Without You"|last=Josephs|first=Brian|work=Spin|date=September 21, 2017|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> On October 30, Cyrus confirmed there would be no further singles and that she would not be touring in support of ''Younger Now''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/334bo7/miley-cyrus-isnt-releasing-any-more-younger-now-singles|title=Miley Cyrus Isn't Releasing Any More 'Younger Now' Singles|last=McNeilage|first=Ross|publisher=MTV UK|date=October 30, 2017|access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref>

===Live performances=== [[File:170526-N-EO381-074 Miley Cyrus on Today show.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cyrus performing in New York City on ''Today'', May 2017]] Cyrus first performed the album's lead single, "Malibu", at Wango Tango on May 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/miley-cyrus-malibu-live_us_59186010e4b0fe039b353c61|title=Miley Cyrus Performs Her Beachy Single 'Malibu' Live For First Time Ever|first=Julia|last=Brucculieri|date=May 14, 2017|website=huffingtonpost.com|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> She sang "Malibu" again at the ''Billboard'' Music Awards and ''The Voice'' on May 21 and 22, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/7792789/the-chainsmokers-halsey-sam-hunt-billboard-music-awards-2017|title=The Chainsmokers, Halsey and Sam Hunt Performing at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards|website=Billboard.com|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldderby.com/article/2017/the-voice-finale-miley-cyrus-malibu-video-news-135790864/|title='The Voice' finale: Miley Cyrus melts hearts with 'Malibu' [WATCH]|website=Golderby.com|first=Paul|last=Sheehan|date=May 24, 2017|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> She performed the song again on ''The Today Show'' on May 26 as a part of their Citi Concert series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/miley-cyrus-brings-malibu-new-york-see-her-concert-today-t112039|title=Miley Cyrus brings 'Malibu' to New York! See her concert on the TODAY plaza|first=Ree|last=Hines|website=Today.com|date=May 26, 2017 |access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> That same day, she also made a surprise guest appearance on ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'' to promote her musical guest spot on ''Late Night with Seth Meyers'' later that night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-malibu-nbc-take-over-video-7800151/|title=Watch Miley Cyrus Take Over NBC to Promote 'Malibu'|website=Billboard.com|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> Cyrus was also a performer at the One Love Manchester benefit concert on June 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/concerts/7817600/ariana-grande-manchester-benefit-concert-live-stream-recap|title=One Love Manchester: Ariana Grande Calls Benefit Concert 'The Medicine the World Needs,' Justin Bieber Pays Emotional Tribute to Victims|website=Billboard.com|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> Cyrus performed "Malibu" and "Inspired" on ''Fallon'' on June 14.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/guest/miley-cyrus/41def8c4c120868747653a5c1569174f8ff45821|title=Miley Cyrus on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon|website=NBC|access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> On August 22, Cyrus launched a website, youngernow.com, where fans could upload photos onto the artwork of the "Younger Now" single.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/mileycyrus/status/900070354084708353|title=YoungerNow.com is LIVE! #youngernowchallenge Upload a photo and make your ownnnnnn! Single out now! Album out 9/29!pic.twitter.com/VI1nUitmpH|first=Miley Ray|last=Cyrus|website=Twitter.com|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> On August 27, Cyrus performed "Younger Now" for the first time at the MTV Video Music Awards.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/vmas-2017-miley-cyrus-goes-retro-in-younger-now-performance-w499120|title=VMAs 2017: Watch Miley Cyrus Go Retro in 'Younger Now' Performance|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 28, 2017 |access-date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> On September 7, Cyrus performed the song on ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show''.

From October 2 to October 6, Cyrus made appearances on ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'' and performed "Week Without You".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/THE-TONIGHT-SHOW-WITH-JIMMY-FALLON-Announces-October-2-6-as-Miley-Week-20170925|title=THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JIMMY FALLON Announces October 2–6 as 'Miley Week'|work=Broadway World|access-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> On November 4, she performed "Bad Mood" and "I Would Die for You" on ''Saturday Night Live''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-snl-bad-mood-i-would-die-for-you-baby-step-video-8023169/|title=Miley Cyrus Performs 'Bad Mood' & 'I Would Die for You' on 'SNL'|magazine=Billboard|date=November 5, 2017|access-date=November 5, 2017}}</ref>

==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | ADM = 5.4/10<ref name="ADM?">{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/8958/Miley-Cyrus-Younger-Now.aspx|title=Younger Now by Miley Cyrus reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=October 9, 2025}}</ref> | MC = 58/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/younger-now/miley-cyrus|title=Younger Now Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=October 14, 2017}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|title=Younger Now – Miley Cyrus|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/younger-now-mw0003095582|publisher=AllMusic|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|date=September 28, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Consequence of Sound'' | rev2score = C−<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2017/10/album-review-miley-cyrus-younger-now/|title=Miley Cyrus – Younger Now|website=Consequence of Sound|last=Clark|first=Tyler|date=October 2, 2017 |access-date=October 2, 2017}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev3score = B<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/music/2017/09/25/miley-cyrus-younger-now-ew-review/|title=Miley Cyrus is a girl gone mild on Younger Now: EW review|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Greenblatt|first=Leah|access-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> | rev4 = ''The Guardian'' | rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="Guardian-Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/sep/28/miley-cyrus-younger-now-review-rca |title=Miley Cyrus: Younger Now review – big-hearted country-pop from Miley v4.0 |work=The Guardian |date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> | rev5 = Idolator | rev5score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="Idolator-Review">{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7669245/miley-cyrus-younger-now-album-review|title=Miley Cyrus' 'Younger Now:' Album Review|work=Idolator|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=September 30, 2017}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Independent'' | rev6score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="Independent-Review">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/album-reviews-miley-cyrus-loney-dear-van-morrison-pere-ubu-and-more-a7970411.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/album-reviews-miley-cyrus-loney-dear-van-morrison-pere-ubu-and-more-a7970411.html |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Album reviews: Miley Cyrus, Loney Dear, Van Morrison, Pere Ubu, and more |work=The Independent |access-date=September 29, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | rev7 = ''NME'' | rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Miley Cyrus – 'Younger Now' Review|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/album/miley-cyrus-younger-now-review|website=NME|last=Cooper|first=Leonie|date=September 27, 2017 |access-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev8Score = 4.7/10<ref name="Pitchfork"/> | rev9 = ''Slant Magazine'' | rev9Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/miley-cyrus-younger-now|title=Miley Cyrus: Younger Now {{!}} Album Review|work=Slant Magazine|last=Hoskins|first=Zachary|date=October 4, 2017|access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> }} At Metacritic, ''Younger Now'' received a weighted score of 58 out of 100 from review aggregate website Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews", based on 17 reviews from music critics.<ref name="Metacritic"/> Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave ''Younger Now'' 3.5 stars out of 5, saying the album "seems slightly scattered as it flits from song to song, it nevertheless adds up to a portrait of a pop star so confident of her swagger, she doesn't bother with such niceties as old-fashioned flow."<ref name="AllMusic"/> Dave Simpson of ''The Guardian'' opined, "On ''Younger Now'', she has taken control of the songwriting and production and emerges as a conservative, big-lunged, country-tinged pop star with songs about breaking free."<ref name="Guardian-Review"/> ''Pitchfork'' writer Claire Lobenfeld rated the album 4.7 out of 10, citing "Bland production and weak songwriting hamstring the personalized nature of ''Younger Now'', making it merely a suggestion of the kind of artist Miley Cyrus could be."<ref name="Pitchfork"/> ''Spin''{{'}}s Jordan Sargent called ''Younger Now'' Cyrus' "least honest album ever", further stating: "Where her past albums felt messy but painfully sincere, ''Younger Now'' comes off as safe and overly sanitized, with the frisson that made Cyrus a star all but entirely blasted away."<ref name="Spin"/> ''Billboard'' highlighted the progressive nature of one of the tracks, "She's Not Him", by saying it legitimizes bisexual and pansexual identities.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/7981805/miley-cyrus-pansexual-shes-not-him|title=Miley Cyrus' 'She's Not Him' Is A Pansexual Milestone In Mainstream Music|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2018-10-02}}</ref>

In November 2018, Mike Wass from Idolator commented that ''Younger Now'' was "a potent reminder that you don't need dozens of collaborators and an A&R team the size of Texas to make an excellent pop album" despite not being "the sequel to ''Bangerz'' that [her fanbase] secretly wanted" and not having "obvious singles." He felt that the title track combined the "pop hooks and meme-friendly lyrics" of "Malibu" with the "mood and emotion" of the album, and "holds up as a warm ray of light in Miley's discography" whose underwhelming performance was inexplicable.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7688826/flashback-miley-cyrus-younger-now?safari=1|title=Should Have Been Bigger: Miley Cyrus' "Younger Now"|last=Wass|first=Mike|publisher=Idolator|date=November 28, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2019}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===Controversies=== Cyrus' comments on growing distant from hip hop culture in her ''Billboard'' cover story sparked controversy in May 2017. That month, she clarified that "[she] respects all artists who speak their truth and appreciate all genres of music" and elaborated on her preference for "uplifting, conscious rap", citing Kendrick Lamar as an example, over the sex- and materialism-based lyrics that she explained "pushed [her] out of the hip-hop scene a little" in the article.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-responds-to-backlash-over-hip-hop-remarks-116277/|title=Miley Cyrus Responds to Backlash Over Hip-Hop Remarks|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 6, 2017|access-date=July 12, 2019}}</ref> Cyrus issued another apology in the comments of a YouTube video titled "Miley Cyrus Is My Problematic Fav...Sorry" in June 2019, where she wrote that "[she] fucked up and [she] sincerely apologizes" and expressed regret that "[her] words became a divider in a time where togetherness and unity is crucial."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/miley-cyrus-shes-deeply-2017-comments-hip-hop/story?id=63685990|title=Miley Cyrus says she's 'deeply sorry' for 2017 comments about hip-hop|publisher=ABC News|date=June 13, 2019|access-date=July 12, 2019}}</ref>

In March 2023, teachers at an elementary school in Waukesha County, Wisconsin were ordered to remove the song "Rainbowland", a duet between Cyrus and Dolly Parton, from a program in which it was to be performed by first grade students. School district administration issued a statement that said the song's lyrics “could be deemed controversial” according to a school board policy on controversial issues in the classroom. The teacher who selected the song said the lyrics promote "love and acceptance" of all types of people and believes the school board's objection was due to the possibility the song could be interpreted to promote acceptance of LGBTQ people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/28/entertainment/rainbowland-ban-miley-cyrus-dolly-parton-wisconsin-cec/index.html|title=Wisconsin school district bans Miley Cyrus-Dolly Parton duet with 'rainbow' in title|publisher=CNN|date=March 28, 2023|access-date=March 28, 2023}}</ref>

==Commercial performance== ''Younger Now'' debuted at number five on the US ''Billboard'' 200 with first-week figures of 45,000 album-equivalent units, of which 33,000 were traditional sales. It placed behind Shania Twain's ''Now'' (137,000 units), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' ''Greatest Hits'' (84,000 units), Demi Lovato's ''Tell Me You Love Me'' (74,000 units), and A Boogie wit da Hoodie's ''The Bigger Artist'' (67,000 units). The charting earned Cyrus her eleventh top-ten entry in the United States, including material she recorded as Hannah Montana, and marked her first entry there since ''Bangerz'' debuted at number one in 2013.<ref name=BBdebut>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/shania-twain-now-debuts-no-1-billboard-200-albums-chart/|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Shania Twain's 'Now' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart|magazine=Billboard|date=October 8, 2017|access-date=October 8, 2017}}</ref> In its second week on the chart, ''Younger Now'' fell to number 36.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2017-10-28|title=Top 200 Albums|date=October 28, 2017|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 27, 2017}}</ref> As of April 2023, the album has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 copies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|accessdate=May 20, 2023}}</ref>

''Younger Now'' debuted at number eight on the UK Albums Chart with 10,024 copies sold in its first week,<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |url=http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-shania-twain-takes-no-1-in-close-battle-with-wolf-alice/070064 |title=Official Charts Analysis: Shania Twain takes No. 1 in close battle with Wolf Alice |work=Music Week |date=October 6, 2017 |access-date=October 11, 2017 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> becoming her fifth top 10 album in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|last=Copsey|first=Rob|title=Shania Twain wins fiercely fought battle against Wolf Alice to claim her first Number 1 in 18 years on the Official Albums Chart|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/shania-twain-wins-fiercely-fought-battle-against-wolf-alice-to-claim-her-first-number-1-in-18-years-on-the-official-albums-chart__20680/|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=October 6, 2017|access-date=October 6, 2017}}</ref> It also became her fourth top 10 album in Australia after ''Breakout'' (which topped the charts), ''Can't Be Tamed'' (which reached number four), and ''Bangerz'' (which also reached the top position), entering at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2017/shania-twain-returns-with-third-1|title=Shania Twain returns with third #1|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=October 7, 2017|access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref> The record became her eighth overall top 10 entry in Canada, combining both music under her real name and while performing as the character Hannah Montana, debuting at number three in the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/10/10/shania-hedley-and-tom-petty-loom-large-weeks-chart|title=Shania, Hedley and Tom Petty Loom Large On This Week's Chart|work=FYIMusicNews|date=October 10, 2017|access-date=October 28, 2017|archive-date=June 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623222000/https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/10/10/shania-hedley-and-tom-petty-loom-large-weeks-chart|url-status=dead}}</ref>

By June 2023, the album surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, which makes it her 6th project to achieve this milestone.

==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_writing = Miley Cyrus and Oren Yoel, with an additional writing credit by Dolly Parton on “Rainbowland”.<ref name="Booklet">{{cite AV media notes |title=Younger Now |type=CD liner notes |others=Miley Cyrus |publisher=RCA Records |year=2017}}</ref> | headline = ''Younger Now'' track listing | title1 = Younger Now | length1 = {{Duration|m=4|s=08}} | title2 = Malibu | length2 = {{Duration|m=3|s=51}} | title3 = Rainbowland | note3 = featuring Dolly Parton | length3 = {{Duration|m=4|s=25}} | title4 = Week Without You | length4 = {{Duration|m=3|s=44}} | title5 = Miss You So Much | length5 = {{Duration|m=4|s=53}} | title6 = I Would Die for You | length6 = {{Duration|m=2|s=53}} | title7 = Thinkin' | length7 = {{Duration|m=4|s=05}} | title8 = Bad Mood | length8 = {{Duration|m=2|s=59}} | title9 = Love Someone | length9 = {{Duration|m=3|s=19}} | title10 = She's Not Him | length10 = {{Duration|m=3|s=33}} | title11 = Inspired | length11 = {{Duration|m=3|s=21}} | total_length = {{Duration|m=41|s=11}} }}

'''Notes''' * Japanese edition includes the Tiësto Remix of "Malibu".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICP-5604|title=Younger Now [Japan Bonus Track] Miley Cyrus CD Album|publisher=CDJapan|access-date=February 8, 2018}}</ref>

==Credits and personnel== Credits adapted from AllMusic.<ref name="AllMusic"/>

{{Div col|colwidth=35em}} * Miley Cyrus – vocals, writer, producer, executive producer, art direction, design * Oren Yoel – producer, writer, instrumentation, horn arrangements, string arrangements * Dolly Parton – vocals, writer {{small|(track 3)}} * Jamie Arentzen – guitar * Jaco Caraco – guitar * Nicole Row – bass * Paul Dateh – violin * Jerry Johnson – cello * Matt Walker – cello * Taylor Andrew Covey – trombone * Antoine Séverman – fiddle * Adam Wolf – French horn * Harris Majors Ostrander – trumpet * Paul Franklin – pedal steel * Stacy Jones – drum, musical director * Doran Dina – engineer * Tom Rutledge – vocal engineer * Paul David Hager – mixing, engineer * Manny Marroquin – mixing * Chris Galland – mixing engineer * Jeff Fitzpatrick – assistant engineer * Scott Moore – assistant engineer * Mark Ralston – assistant engineer * Scott Desmarais – mixing assistant * Robin Florent – mixing assistant * Dave Kutch – mastering * Pres Rodriguez – art direction, design * Olivia Malone – cover art, photography * Brian Bowen-Smith – photography * Liam Hemsworth – photography * Ryan Kenny – photography {{Div col end}}

==Charts==

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Weekly chart performance for ''Younger Now'' |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- {{album chart|Australia|2|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Austria|8|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 11, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|17|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 6, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|21|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 6, 2017}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|3|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=October 10, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Czech|9|year=2017|week=40|rowheader=true|access-date=October 10, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Denmark|25|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 11, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|11|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 6, 2017}} |- {{album chart|France|51|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 10, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Germany|16|id=338842|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 6, 2017}} |- ! scope="row"| Greek Albums (IFPI)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html |title=Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Week: 41/2017) |publisher=IFPI Greece |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023145927/http://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html |archive-date=October 23, 2017}}</ref> | 25 |- {{album chart|Hungary|35|year=2017|week=40|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 12, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Ireland2|5|artist=Miley Cyrus|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Italy|9|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2017}} |- ! scope="row"| Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2017-10-16/p/5/|title=週間 CDアルバムランキング 2017年10月16日付|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/403414/products/1245370/1/|title=ヤンガー・ナウマイリー・サイラス|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref> | 44 |- ! scope="row"| Japanese Hot Albums (''Billboard Japan'')<ref name="bbjapanpeak">{{cite web |title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Miley Cyrus Chart History |url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/artists/detail/289801 |access-date=May 15, 2026 |website=Billboard Japan |language=ja}}</ref> | 97 |- !scope="row"|Mexican Albums (AMPROFON)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amprofon.com.mx/top-album.php |title=Top Album - Semanal (del 29 de Septiembre al 05 de Octubre)|access-date=November 15, 2017|language=es|publisher=Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115001000/http://www.amprofon.com.mx/top-album.php|archive-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> | 11 |- {{album chart|New Zealand|4|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 6, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Norway|9|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Poland|19|id=1104|rowheader=true|access-date=October 12, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Portugal|6|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 17, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|7|date=20171006|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2017}} |- ! scope="row"| Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=36&titul=158203&sec=fbf5cbed7594710ebe59b3c5c160c611|title=ČNS IFPI|publisher=IFPI|language=cs|access-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref> | 8 |- ! scope="row"| South Korean Albums (Gaon)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=week&hitYear=2017&targetTime=39&nationGbn=T|title=2017년 39주차 Album Chart|publisher=Gaon|language=ko|access-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref> | 81 |- {{album chart|Spain|1|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 12, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|11|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 6, 2017}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|11|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|access-date=October 11, 2017}} |- {{album chart|UK2|8|date=20171006|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2017}} |- ! scope="row" |US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name=BBdebut/> | 5 |}

===Monthly charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Monthly chart performance for ''Younger Now'' |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- {{album chart|Argentina|5|artist=Miley Cyrus|album=Younger Now|rowheader=true|M|url=https://www.capif.org.ar/rankings/|title=Argentine Monthly|work=CAPIF|access-date=November 16, 2017}} |}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Younger Now|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|access-date=June 16, 2021}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|digital=true|award=Gold|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Younger Now|relyear=2017|certyear=2017|access-date=November 27, 2017}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=album|title=Younger Now|artist=Miley Cyrus|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|access-date=June 12, 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Younger Now|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|access-date=December 21, 2024|source=radioscope}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=album|digital=true|award=Platinum|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Younger Now|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|access-date=November 5, 2021}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Younger Now|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|access-date=December 20, 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|digital=true|award=Gold|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=Younger Now|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|access-date=April 28, 2023}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true | noshipments=true|nosales=true}}

==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Edition ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2"| Various | September 29, 2017 | rowspan="2"| Standard | {{hlist|CD|digital download}} | rowspan="2"| RCA | <ref name="Amazon">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Younger-Now-Miley-Cyrus/dp/B074JS3XBH|title=Miley Cyrus – Younger Now|website=Amazon |access-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> |- | February 9, 2018 | LP | <ref name="FNAC">{{cite web|url=https://musique.fnac.com/a10945739/Miley-Cyrus-Younger-Now-Vinyl-album|title=Younger Now – Miley Cyrus – Vinyl album|publisher=Fnac|access-date=September 28, 2017|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediamarkt.de/de/product/_miley-cyrus-younger-now-pop-vinyl-2338253.html|title=Miley Cyrus – YOUNGER NOW Vinyl/LP|publisher=Media Markt|access-date=September 28, 2017|language=de|archive-date=March 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329031730/https://www.mediamarkt.de/de/product/_miley-cyrus-younger-now-pop-vinyl-2338253.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|http://YoungerNow.com}}

Category:2017 albums Category:Miley Cyrus albums Category:RCA Records albums Category:Country pop albums Category:Country albums by American artists